Chelsea Tantum, a woman who competed with friends for the best tan as a teenager, has died from incurable melanoma skin cancer. She lost her fight with the disease on September 30 at age 30.
At 28, she received a late diagnosis of melanoma. Just before her 30th birthday, she learned the cancer had spread to her brain, leaving her with stage 4 cancer.
Campaign for sunbed law change
While battling the debilitating cancer—which at one point left her in a wheelchair—Chelsea campaigned for change. To warn others and to amend laws around sunbed usage, she shared her story and started a fundraiser for the charity Melanoma Focus.
Chelsea revealed she began using sunbeds at just 15 years old and admitted her friends would compete for the best tan. Despite being under 18, she was never asked for ID—something she later campaigned to change.
From age 15, she used sunbeds frequently for the next decade, which led to her devastating diagnosis. When the cancer was discovered, it was at stage 3C and had already spread to her spine, ribs, pelvis, femurs, lungs, liver, spleen, and breast.
Tributes and fundraising legacy
Chelsea pleaded for mandatory ID checks for all people using sunbeds—which the government introduced in May this year. During her battle with cancer, through a number of treatments, she managed to raise over £4,000 for the charity.
Since the announcement of her death, family and friends have poured in with heartfelt tributes. Family member Lee Craven said: “You never gave up fighting, right until the very end. Throughout everything she went through, Chelsea used her experience to raise awareness for her condition.
“Much love to you, Chelsea. I wish you nothing but the best on your next great adventure, whatever that might be.”
Close friend Claire Louise said: “I watched you go through more than anyone should ever have to, yet somehow you still found the strength to use your own journey to educate, support and help others while fighting so hard for yourself.
“I genuinely don’t know anyone else who could have carried it all with the dignity, grace and strength that you did. You were strong, beautiful, funny, determined and completely unforgettable.
“Your friendship was such a gift to me. Every adventure, every conversation, every laugh and every moment by your side was an absolute pleasure. I’m so grateful I got to know you, love you and do a little bit of life with you.
“30 years was nowhere near enough, Chelsea.”
Funeral arrangements
Chelsea’s funeral is set to take place on October 23 at Albion Church, Ashton, followed by committal at Dukinfield Crematorium.
