Overview

• Rhys Russell’s thick curly hair obscured a scalp melanoma until symptoms progressed, leading to his diagnosis in November 2021 and eventual death in March 2025.
• By late 2022, his melanoma had advanced to stage four, and scans in January 2025 revealed widespread metastases to his liver, heart, lungs, and back.
• In his final moments, Rhys watched a video of his Make-a-Wish Zoom meeting with Manchester City footballer Jack Grealish, who had sent him a signed shirt.
• His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fulfill his last request of scattering his ashes at the Etihad Stadium’s memorial garden, struggling with funeral costs.
• The family is using Rhys’s story to raise awareness about melanoma, emphasizing the importance of early detection, even in young people, and advocating for regular skin checks.