Bad news reached us from Belgium. Kim 'Kay, one of the semifinalists of the Belgian Eurovision Song Contest selections in 2002 is fighting against cancer in a hospital in Ghent. The 26 year-old Flemish singer started her career in 1997 and scored a European hit with her debut single Lilali.

“It's not going well with me,” says Kim 'Kay to Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. “A couple of weeks ago I have had an operation, but now complications have turned up. I don't want to elaborate on that.”

Kim 'Kay started her singing career in 1997, when she reached the final of the VTM Soundmix Show with Poupée de cire, poupée de son, France Gall's winning Eurovision Song Contest hit. Her first single Lilali was a great success. More than half a million copies of Lilali were sold and Kim 'Kay reached the single charts in several countries in Europe. Several hits followed in Flanders, including a dance remake of Poupée de cire, poupée de son.

In 2002 Kim 'Kay tried to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest. In the first semifinal of Eurosong 2002 she finished third with the song The sun shines, written by John Terra, composer of the Belgian Eurovision Song Contest entries in 1996 (Liefde is een kaartspel) and 1999 (Like the wind).

Kim 'Kay earlier suffered from health problems. In 1999 she was hospitalized while visiting her boyfriend in Australia. Australian doctors had been searching for the mysterious cause of her continued pains for more than a month, but were completely puzzled.

Esctoday.com wishes Kim, her relatives and friends a lot of strength in these difficult times.