19 September 2023 , 13:25
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A social media influencer who died of cancer aged 35 shared an important final message with her online followers before her passing, urging them to 'cherish' their friends and loved ones and to 'grab life'.
Nicky Newman's death was confirmed on Monday, five and a half years after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in April 2018. The Surrey native rose to public prominence as a campaigner for regular breast checks, after learning the devastating news that her illness was terminal following the discovery of a large lump on her right breast.
Nicky's husband, Alex, took to Instagram yesterday to share a poignant message she had written to be shared after she had passed away.
"'If you're reading this it means I have died, I made it 5 and half years though, not bad for a stage 4 breastie ey," the courageous activist wrote in the opening of the heartfelt post, before reminding people to avoid using outdated language to describe her journey with incurable cancer.
Alex and Nicky had known each other since they were 14 (@nicknacklou/Instagram)
Alex shared Nicky's final message on Instagram (@nicknacklou/Instagram)"And none of this, 'she fought her battle nonsense'," Nicky continued. "I didn't lose anything, the cancer simply took over, and that's ok. We all knew this would happen."
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The former financial administrator, who lived in Guildford and was hoping to start a family when she was diagnosed with cancer, also reflected on how unprepared human beings are for their own mortality.
"We think we are indestructible and a magic cure will appear," she said. "But the truth is we all live this life day to day." She also encouraged her followers to "cherish those around you" and "give your friends and loved ones the biggest squeezes" before urging them to "GO GRAB LIFE!" because "you never truly know what is coming around the corner."
Nicky went on to thank her "Instafamily", which consisted of 305k followers, from the "bottom" of her heart. "You have all become part of my legacy," she wrote, before promising there was "more to come (with some amazing things in the works) that will aim to continue that legacy."
A number of celebrities, including Stacey Solomon, paid tribute to the influencer in the comment section. "Nick. I love you. So grateful I got to meet and know you," the Loose Women panellist wrote. "Promise to grab life every single day"
Alex followed up Nicky's post with his own heartfelt message about his "incredible wife", whom he had known since they were both 14.
"My bean was more than a partner or loved one to me, she truly was my lobster," he said, before adding, that "throughout all the years (even when we had time apart) we were always inextricably drawn to each other." He also said that their relationship was a "truly rare joining of souls that were simply meant to be one." Alex also paid tribute to his beloved spouse's zest for life, recalling how she "never accepted half measures, she took life with both hands and made each moment special and memorable."