Lucy Davis has delivered a moving message about kindness and determination during her first public appearance since sharing her incurable stage four breast cancer diagnosis.
The Office star attended the For the Love of Fantasy & Sci-Fi convention at London’s ExCeL on Saturday. She reunited with Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright and co-star Simon Pegg at the event.
Lucy, 53, spoke warmly about the support she has received and described the fan community as a “second family” she never knew she had.
Lucy Davis thanks fans for their kindness after cancer announcement
Speaking to the convention crowd, Lucy said: “Everyone is like a community, friendly, supportive of us, but you guys and each other. So I’m quite hopeful about that, to be honest.
“We need a bit more niceness in the world, and we get it here. So I’m grateful for you guys.”
The actress also offered heartfelt advice when asked what she would tell someone hoping to enter the film industry.
She said: “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do or be anything that you want to do or be.
“We all grow up just with lies from the world telling us that we all have limitations, and none of us do.
“Our only limitations are the things that we think are limiting us. You can do anything and be anybody, and don’t apologise for it.”
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Star revealed cancer had spread to her bones
The convention appearance came 11 days after Lucy publicly disclosed her diagnosis on Instagram. She said doctors diagnosed her around 18 months earlier and that the cancer had spread to her spine, right hip and ribs.
Lucy explained that she had first noticed a very small hard area in her breast. She nearly decided against having it examined and urged others not to ignore changes.
In her announcement, she wrote: “As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can.”
She explained that pain can make prolonged standing and walking difficult. Lucy sometimes uses a wheelchair, but she said she still hopes to act and continue her animal rights work.
The huge response to her announcement left the actress emotional and surprised. She later reminded followers that she was “still alive” after a small number of people mistakenly posted messages saying “R.I.P.”
Lucy has said humour remains vital to her as she lives with cancer. She asked friends and relatives to keep making fun of her and not to treat her as though illness defines her.
She also told followers she felt at peace with what may come next. At the convention, however, Lucy kept her focus firmly on community, kindness and encouraging others to pursue what they want.
Read more: Lucy Davis’ pals had ‘no idea’ star was ill as they reveal she’s comforting well-wishers
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