'The Walking Dead' Actress Kelly Mack Dies At 33 After Battle With Glioma. What Is It?

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Actress and voiceover artist Kelley Mack, best known for her role in The Walking Dead, has passed away at the age of 33. Her family shared the news on Mack's official Instagram page on August 5.

Who is Kelly Mack?

Kelly Mack was best known for her television roles, including Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, Penelope Jacobs in Season 8 of Chicago Med, and appearances on FOX's 9-1-1. Her film credits include playing Alice in Broadcast Signal Intrusion, Wilda in Delicate Arch, and Ricky in the upcoming film Universal.

In addition to acting, Mack was a screenwriter and cooperated with her mother, Kristen Klebenow, on several feature-length scripts. One of their projects, On The Black, is a 1950s college baseball story loosely inspired by her maternal grandparents' time at Ohio University.

When did Kelly Mack die?

American actress Kelly Mack, known for her work in popular TV series, has passed away at the age of 33. The news was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, citing her family. Mack died on August 2 in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a prolonged battle with glioma, a tumour of the central nervous system.

Her sister confirmed the sad news on social media, writing,“It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley. Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go.”

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“Kelley passed peacefully on Saturday evening with her loving mother Kristen and steadfast aunt Karen present. Kelley has already come to many of her loved ones in the form of various butterflies 🦋 ❤️. She will be missed by so many to depths that words cannot express,” it further said.

What role did Kelly Mack play in The Walking Dead?

Kelly Mack played the role of Addy in Season 9 of The Walking Dead. Her character contributed to various storylines involving community rebuilding and survival challenges faced by the group.

She rose to fame through her roles in The Walking Dead (2010–2022) and Chicago Med (2015–present).

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According to Deadline, she had been battling glioma of the central nervous system.

What is a Glioma?

A glioma is a type of brain tumour that develops from the glial cells in the brain or spinal cord.

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While gliomas can occur at any age, they are more common in adults. Symptoms vary based on the tumour's size and location and may include headaches, seizures, nausea, neurological problems, and changes in behaviour or personality.

What are Glioma's symptoms?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), glioma symptoms depend on the tumour's location, size, and growth rate, but commonly include:

1. Persistent headaches.

2. Seizures or convulsions.

3. Nausea and vomiting.

4. Weakness or numbness in parts of the body.

5. Problems with balance and coordination.

6. Changes in personality, mood, or cognitive function.

7. Speech or vision difficulties.

8. The WHO emphasises that symptoms vary widely based on tumour grade (1 to 4) and location in the brain or spinal cord. Higher-grade gliomas tend to cause more rapid and severe symptoms.

What causes Glioma?

Gliomas are caused by genetic mutations in the glial cells of the brain or spinal cord that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and tumour formation. The WHO said that gliomas arise from abnormal changes in glial cells, but many cases occur without identifiable risk factors.

Genetic mutations: Changes in DNA that affect cell growth and division.

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Radiation exposure: Previous exposure to high doses of ionising radiation to the head.

Family history: A small percentage of gliomas may be linked to inherited genetic conditions.

What is the treatment?

Gliomas are primarily treated through a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery aims to remove as much of the tumour as possible without harming critical brain areas.

After surgery, radiation therapy is often used to target any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of the tumour returning.

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Chemotherapy drugs are also commonly administered to kill tumour cells.

In some cases, targeted therapies that focus on specific genetic mutations in the tumour cells are used, according to reports.

(This is a developing story.)

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