NRL legend Brett Kimmorley has shared an uplifting personal update, revealing his partner Lauren Raper is now cancer free after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
The emotional announcement carries even greater significance for the former Sharks and NSW State of Origin star, who lost his first wife, Sharnie, to brain cancer in 2017.
Taking to Instagram, the 49-year-old praised Lauren’s resilience after months of treatment.
“So proud of this amazing lady going through 12 weeks of chemotherapy,” Kimmorley wrote.
“Off the back of a mastectomy, she has powered through.
“With plenty of love and support it has helped her out. We are now breast cancer free.”
A private health battle revealed only after the good news
Lauren underwent chemotherapy before having a mastectomy as part of her treatment for breast cancer.
A look through Kimmorley’s social media suggests the couple chose to keep her diagnosis private, with the former NRL star only revealing her health battle after announcing she was cancer free.
His heartfelt post was quickly flooded with messages of support.
Former Channel Seven reporter Michelle Bishop commented, “Sending big hugs.”
Another supporter wrote, “Wonderful news Brett! Love and hugs to all of you. Great news!”
A third added, “This is absolutely fantastic to see. I am so happy you have finished your chemo and wish you nothing but health, happiness and love.”
A devastating loss that changed Kimmorley’s life forever
The latest milestone comes nearly a decade after Kimmorley endured one of the darkest chapters of his life.
His wife, Sharnie, died from brain cancer in 2017 at the age of just 38, only eight months after being diagnosed.
Her passing left the former Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks halfback to raise their four daughters — Maddi, Mia, Ava and Ivy.
Sharnie’s legacy continues to inspire
Just months after Sharnie’s death, Kimmorley became emotional while speaking on live television ahead of the NRL’s Beanies for Brain Cancer Round.
He revealed how his children had embraced fundraising efforts in honour of their mother.
“The cause is very special… my children themselves have done their own things to help mum,” he said.
“The kids did Relay for Life last week… it was something that was very special to them — for mum.
“We started that as a family and we finished as a family. Everything we do at the moment is an ‘us’ decision, not so much a ‘me’ and ‘I’ decision.”
Fighting back tears, Kimmorley also reflected on one of Sharnie’s final wishes.
“It’s trying to take something that Sharnie tried to say to us last year — that she could handle it.
“We had a softball game last year that was all to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation so that someone else doesn’t have to go through it.”
A moment of hope after years of heartbreak
After experiencing the devastating impact of cancer firsthand, Kimmorley is finally able to celebrate a deeply personal victory.
Lauren Raper’s cancer-free milestone marks the end of an incredibly challenging chapter for the couple and offers a rare moment of hope for a family that has already endured unimaginable loss.
