TRAGIC: KERRY HARVEY, FACE OF CONTROVERSIAL PANCREATIC CANCER CAMPAIGN DIES AT 24

A brave young woman who was the face of the latest pancreatic cancer awareness campaign has died from the disease aged just 24.

Kerry Harvey, from Chichester, West Sussex, passed away on Saturday morning, her family said.

In the weeks before her death she had told her story on national TV to try and raise awareness of the brutal disease that has just a three per cent survival rate after five years.

Her husband, Matthew Biggins, told ITV News Central this morning he is 'devastated' at her death.

He said: 'Myself and her family are devastated by the loss, but it is also important to us that Kerry's legacy lives on.

Harvey appeared on ‘This Morning’ two weeks ago to discuss the controversial campaign

 Harevey with hubby Matt in 2013

'She did so much to raise awareness for this terrible illness and has brought global attention to a cancer that receives just 1 per cent of national funding.'

He is continuing her campaign to get people to sign an online petition to get MPs to debate the funding that goes towards pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of just three per cent - compared to 85 per cent of breast cancer patients and 97 per cent of men with testicular cancer.

In the TV ad, genuine pancreatic cancer patients including Miss Harvey are seen saying 'I wish I had testicular cancer' and 'I wish I had breast cancer' as information about symptoms and survival rates appears on the screen.

But speaking last month after the the ad sparked controversy, Miss Harvey was adamant she had no regrets about appearing in the shock campaign.

And appearing on This Morning just two weeks ago, Miss Harvey told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: 'Of course I wish I had one [a cancer] with a better survival rate. I have tumours in my breast, my arm, my head.

'I was sad to read some of the reactions to the campaign. I was never saying that breast cancer patients have it easier - all I was saying was that they have a better chance of survival.'

In a statement, Ali Stunt, CEO, Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: 'We were deeply saddened to hear the news that the beautiful and inspiring Kerry Harvey passed away, aged 24, on the morning of Saturday 22nd February.

'She was a brave and courageous young woman who touched so many hearts with her determination to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer despite being very ill herself.

'Since her diagnosis in April 2013, she devoted a significant amount of her own time trying to raise the profile of the disease that she, like many other pancreatic cancer patients, had not heard of before her diagnosis.

'Kerry campaigned with selfless vigour and, despite facing criticism, wanted to help others by encouraging earlier diagnosis and attract more funds for research. She said herself, "some people have to shout louder and I’m on my rooftop with a megaphone".

'We are so grateful to her contribution to our awareness campaign. Her strength and fortitude we and other pancreatic cancer sufferers, their families and friends are very grateful for.

'Our thoughts are now with her husband Matt and all of her family and friends at this difficult time.

Miss Harvey began suffering from acute stomach pains in November 2012. It took five A&E visits spread over four months before doctors confirmed pancreatic cancer in February last year.

She was eventually diagnosed with stage four cancer, it had spread to her liver and bones and doctors said there was little they could do for her.

In November, doctors told her to focus on palliative care rather than further treatment. She said: ‘I’ve received so much support from Pancreatic Cancer Action so I didn’t hesitate when they asked me to join the campaign.'

Last year Miss Harvey told MailOnline that she started developing pains in her abdomen in December 2012.

'They started quite gradually and to be honest, I thought they were women's problems as I tend to get cramps every month.'

But the pain continued to worsen and spread upwards towards the left side of her ribcage.

Eventually, at the beginning of January, the pain became so unbearable she visited the A&E department at the hospital she worked in.