Kellie Finlayson was all smiles as she lived out a childhood dream at Disneyland while continuing her gruelling battle with terminal cancer.
The 30-year-old shared joyful images and videos from the US theme park with her husband, former AFL star Jeremy Finlayson, and their daughter Sophia.
Kellie looked radiant in sparkling Minnie Mouse ears, a striped T-shirt and denim shorts as she enjoyed the precious family holiday.
She laughed on rides, sampled theme park treats and met famous Disney characters after enduring years of chemotherapy and major surgery.
‘Disneyland and adventure park, part 1,’ she captioned the Instagram carousel.
‘I am literally pinching myself that we’re here (what is my life?!) and mind blown at how truly magical this place is.
Former AFL star Jeremy Finlayson joined wife Kellie and daughter Sophia at Disneyland
Kellie appeared radiant in a striped T-shirt and denim shorts while exploring Disneyland with her loved ones
The mother-of-one lived out her childhood dream after enduring years of chemotherapy and major operations for terminal cancer
‘We have sooooo much more to share but here’s a few happy snaps to start us off #invited.
‘I’m out here living my childhood DREAMS – kind of cool that Soph gets to live hers too.’
One video showed Kellie and Sophia throwing their hands into the air during a ride.
Another image captured the family inside a boat as it passed through the enormous open jaws of a whale.
Kellie appeared carefree as she posed alongside Lightning McQueen in the Cars-themed area and sampled a chocolate-covered frozen treat.
Jeremy carried Sophia on his shoulders during a visit to a Monsters, Inc. attraction.
The former Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide forward also cuddled his daughter at an outdoor café and held her in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Sophia met several famous characters, including Toy Story favourites Jessie and Bo Peep.
Sophia met Toy Story favourites Jessie and Bo Peep during an unforgettable character experience
Kellie has undergone more than 80 rounds of chemotherapy since receiving her stage four bowel cancer diagnosis in November 2021
Finlayson played 128 AFL games and kicked 166 goals across his career with Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide combined
Another clip showed Princess Tiana bending down to greet the youngster and take her hand.
In one poignant image, Sophia stood with her arms outstretched beneath a glittering sign reading: ‘…and they lived happily ever after.’
The family holiday comes after Kellie underwent another major operation during her ongoing cancer battle.
She had a wedge resection on her left lung in June to remove active and inactive tumours, following an earlier procedure on her right lung.
Kellie has undergone more than 80 rounds of chemotherapy since being diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2021, aged 25.
She had given birth to Sophia three months earlier and initially believed her symptoms were related to postpartum changes.
Doctors first told her she had stage three bowel cancer, but scans revealed within 24 hours that the disease had spread to her lungs and was stage four.
Her treatment has included maintenance chemotherapy infusions and daily chemotherapy tablets.
Kellie documented her diagnosis, treatment, marriage and motherhood in her 2025 memoir, There Must Be More.
Jeremy and Kellie married in 2023 after postponing their wedding while she underwent treatment.
