Kelly Hashemi, a 41-year-old primary school teacher from Gateshead, died in July 2025 after her ovarian cancer symptoms were initially dismissed as perimenopause. Her husband Arya, 42, is now running the Great North Run to raise funds for the hospice that cared for her.
Symptoms dismissed before late-stage diagnosis
Kelly first experienced symptoms including mid-cycle bleeding, bloating, and anxiety at age 37. Despite raising concerns with medical professionals, she was told these were signs of perimenopause. She later paid for a private scan, which revealed stage three ovarian cancer in July 2022.
According to Arya, a practising lawyer, the diagnosis was devastating. He recalled: "Things didn't feel right. She kept saying this is something else. When she received her diagnosis the doctor said 'We have caught this at a late stage, you are going to die from this'." He added: "A simple blood test or simple scans would have picked this up earlier and there was a refusal to do that."
Extensive surgery and recurrence
Kelly underwent two major operations. The first, described by Arya as "enormous," involved surgery from her throat to the top of her pubic bone. She had a full hysterectomy, and part of her liver, bladder, and diaphragm removed. She spent a fortnight in intensive care and several months in rehabilitation before starting chemotherapy.
In September 2024, Kelly began working in early years at Newcastle High School for Girls. After about seven weeks, a scan confirmed her cancer had returned. Doctors told her that with further surgery she could have a year to live, without it only a few months. She chose surgery to spend more time with her 13-year-old daughter Tabitha. Arya said: "She lost her bowel and it made no difference, the cancer just kept growing."
Final months and fundraising tribute
Kelly spent her final three months at St Bede's Hospice, within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital grounds in Gateshead. Arya praised the hospice staff: "Every single one of their team went over and above, showering her with love, and all of her fears just disappeared."
Arya, who now lives in Fenham, Newcastle, with Tabitha, will run the Great North Run on September 13. His online fundraising campaign has already raised more than £5,500 for the hospice. He said: "It was something Kelly did. She always talked about it as being one of the greatest things she'd ever done. It's a really nice tribute to Kelly."
Arya urged others to advocate for their health: "If something feels wrong fight your corner. No one is going to advocate for you, you have to advocate for yourself."
