An ovarian cancer advocate who defied odds by living beyond her survival prognosis has tragically lost her courageous battle with the disease.
Melbourne mother Leane Flynn, 55, died on Tuesday surrounded by her husband Justin and their three daughters.
She was a “picture of health” and had just returned from a 10k run one morning in 2017 when she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer.
She was given five years to live after two tumors the size of a pop can were discovered on her ovaries, and another the size of a banana on her liver.
She spent the next six years speaking out about her struggle to raise awareness and became an ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Ms Flynn is survived by her husband and daughters Amelia, 26, Laura, 24 and Anabel, 19, who confirmed the devastating news on Wednesday evening.
Leane Flynn, ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (pictured with her daughters), died this week after six years of battling cancer.
Leane was surrounded by her husband Justin and their three daughters
“It is with heavy hearts that we have to announce that our beautiful Leane passed away yesterday surrounded by Justin and the girls,” the heartbreaking message read.
“There are no words to express the loss and the emotions we feel.
“She fought an incredibly tough battle until the end and she did it with pure resilience and positivity along the way.
“Even in the most difficult times, she always continued to share her story and raise awareness about ovarian cancer.
The family have pledged to keep Ms Flynn’s Instagram up and running to continue raising awareness ‘so no one else has to go through what she went through’.
“We would like to say thank you to everyone for the years of love and support. Your positive messages and comments have always brightened her day and we are so grateful,” the family wrote.
“Our Leane will be missed every day and she is with us everywhere.”
Just six days ago, Ms Flynn shared photos surrounded by her best and oldest friends as she took stock.
“I maximize every moment. I still haven’t received any confirmation regarding the clinical trial, so my future is really uncertain. One day at a time,” she wrote.
Leanne learned in April 2017 that she only had five years to live.
Leane paid tribute to her husband Justin on his birthday 10 days ago and hinted it might be the last time she will be there.
She hinted at what’s to come in another recent post dedicated to her husband on his birthday.
“The past few days have been particularly emotional and stressful, but I’m still trying to focus on our quality time together – even though I keep coming back to the idea that this might be our last shared anniversary,” Ms Fynn wrote. .
News of Ms Flynn’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes.
‘I am really sorry. Leane was amazing. She will always be remembered and forever in our hearts,” former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers wrote.
Former Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins added: You have inspired us all, your kindness and dedication…. I send so, so much love.
Ms Flynn, then 49, thought she was going through menopause when she started experiencing mild bloating in November 2016.
Three months later she started needing to urinate frequently and visited her GP before she received a devastating and heartbreaking diagnosis.
She underwent six months of chemotherapy but the cancer returned in October 2018.
She underwent nine different chemotherapy treatments during her battle with cancer.
She was a “picture of health” and had just returned from a 10km drive that morning when she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer.
In January 2022, Ms Flynn began planning her funeral after learning she had a week left to live.
“The cancer had spread around my intestine. I had three intestinal perforations. I was skeptical,” she said 7news.com.au earlier this year.
“They couldn’t control it. They sent me home in March last year to die in peace.
She then started to get better.
“I could barely walk, and then one day I kind of walked around the block,” Ms Flynn recalled.
“And the next day I went further and then slowly but surely I started to get better.”
The chemotherapy eventually stopped working and she had to either find a clinical trial or buy drugs overseas to prolong her life.
Approximately 1,720 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
Just over 50 percent of patients live beyond five years after diagnosis.
“It is difficult to express how much Leane meant to all of us,” OCRF wrote.
Her radiant presence enhanced the mood in every room she entered. Leane’s personal warmth, storytelling ability and drive have made her a force of nature in the fight against ovarian cancer. She left a lasting mark on everyone she met.
Leae Flynn spoke candidly about her cancer ordeal to raise awareness
