The mum of two beautiful girls was just 37 when she died
Emma Slee Head of News (South West) and Lauren Beavis, SWNS
08:57, 06 Apr 2026Updated 09:00, 06 Apr 2026
Josie Hasan, 37, passed away from metastatic malignant melanoma on March 28 this year.
A family have urged people to wear sun cream ”even in winter ” after a mum died when a mole turned out to be cancerous.
Josie Hasan, 37, passed away from metastatic malignant melanoma on March 28 this year, as reported by PlymouthLive.
During the summer of 2022, Josie’s husband, Laith, 39, noticed a mole on her back had changed slightly – becoming darker in colour and irregular in shape.
After going the doctors, she was referred to a local dermatology department who removed the mole.
Josie was “reassured” it was nothing to worry about – but soon after removal it started growing back through the scar tissue.
After a second removal with a wider excision, she again was told the mole was not cancerous and was never referred for CT or PET scans – despite asking.
By March 2023 it had grown back again, and a CT scan and a lymph node biopsy eight months later revealed melanoma in her lymph nodes, and stage three cancer.
Josie was told the devastating news over the phone whilst in the aquarium with her two girls, Rebecca, 10 and Sophie, 6.
Her “heartbroken” family are now hoping to share Josie’s inspiring story to encourage people to be skin aware, get checked if any changes are noticed, and hopefully save lives.
They are calling for greater awareness around skin protection – including avoiding sunbeds, getting any unusual marks checked promptly, and wearing SPF50 – even during winter.
Josie Hasan with her children
Jade Thompson, 40, described her sister as an “incredible fighter” who was always cautious and careful with her fair skin.
Jade, from Plymouth, Devon, said: “They told her the mole was nothing to worry about.
“It was the biggest shock ever to learn, after eight long months, that she had stage three melanoma and it had spread to her lymphatic system.
“We were told for so long everything was OK.
“I carry so much anger – she did everything right.”
Specialists referred Josie for immunotherapy in March but unfortunately the second round made her very poorly and induced Myasthenia gravis – a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular condition.
Jade said: “She started noticing neurological changes – her breathing became difficult, her eyes started drooping, and her movements started to change.
“It was so serious that she ended up in ICU because her lungs just weren’t working.”
Specialists determined that it was too dangerous to continue with immunotherapy – with the Myasthenia Gravis now posing more risk than the cancer, said Josie.
With no treatment for the cancer itself, the disease soon spread to her liver, lungs and eventually her spine.
The family said they exhausted every avenue to try and help her.
Jade said: “We reached out to doctors all over the world and no one could help.
“Josie even radically changed her diet and adopted such a positive mindset.
“We really did try every avenue, spiritually, emotionally and physically – she so desperately did not want to die.
“She kept fighting everyday for her girls – they are the most important thing.
“I have never known true strength until I saw what my sister went through, she lost everything with this disease – but it didn’t change her spirit.”
The family were able to celebrate Josie’s 37th birthday together at Disneyland Paris last year – which Josie told her family was a “dream come true”.
She spent her last few months being cared for at St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth.
Jade said the care her sister received there was “nothing short of incredible”.
During her treatment, Josie created an online community called ‘Josie’s Journey’ – which amassed over 3,500 followers on Facebook.
She would use her platform to raise awareness and encourage others to get checked – and she received loads of messages informing her she had helped people catch their skin cancer early.
Jade said: “Josie created a real community of people and the support they gave her over the years really kept her going.
“It makes me so so proud, knowing that she has saved lives means everything and was so important to her.
“She used to say, ‘if this can save one life it’s worth it’.
“That is her legacy.”
The family are now raising awareness about the dangers of skin cancer and how people can exercise caution to protect themselves.
Jade added: “People think you can just cut skin cancer out and are quite blasé about it – but melanoma is one of the most deadly cancers.
“I had never really heard of melanoma before this, but the amount of people that have reached out to Josie on her facebook page to say they are going through similar things is crazy.
“We’re clearly warned that smoking causes lung cancer, with messages printed on cigarette packets, but we don’t feel the same level of awareness exists when it comes to skin cancer.
“When you’re in your teens or twenties, having a tan often feels like such an important thing – we’ve all been guilty of it.
But it’s vital that people take a moment to think about the risks.
“The use of sunbeds is a major contributing factor to skin cancer cases worldwide.
“In a lot of countries sunbeds are banned – but not in the UK.
“We need to raise awareness about the dangers: protecting your skin doesn’t mean avoiding the sun completely, it means being sensible.
“Wear SPF30–50 every day (even in the UK) and reapply regularly, especially if you’re sweating or swimming, cover up with hats, sunglasses and light clothing, and avoid the strongest sun between 11am and 3pm where possible.
“Skip sunbeds altogether as they increase the risk of melanoma, and keep an eye on your skin – if you notice any changes, get them checked.
“Melanoma doesn’t always start from an existing mole.”
Jade has set up a fundraiser to support Josie’s family – her two young daughters as well as her husband, Laith, whom she had been with since the age of 14.
The money will help cover costs for Josie’s funeral and go towards care for the young girls.
Jade added: “Laith had to become a full-time carer due to Josie being so unwell and spending long periods in hospital over the past three years.
“The life insurance will not come through as expected – they accepted a small percentage payout after her diagnosis to provide short-term support, unaware that this would cancel the policy entirely.
“They sought advice from a solicitor, and unfortunately, this decision still stands.”
“It is just an impossible situation for the family – people who have worked hard all their lives to be let down in their time of need.
“We just want to say that we have received so much kindness and support.
“This meant everything to Josie and it made such a difference while she was still here – and we have to keep her message going.
“She means the absolute world to us and we will miss her every single day.”
You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jademarie-thompson
