Star has ‘days to live’ Cancer blogger Rachael Bland tells fans: Thanks so much for your support
BBC presenter Rachael Bland yesterday revealed she has just days to live in a heartbreaking post on social media.
The Radio 5 Live newsreader was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2016.
Alongside a photo of herself and husband Steve, Bland, 40, wrote on Instagram: “In the words of the legendary Frank [Sinatra] – I’m afraid the time has come my friends.
“And suddenly. I’m told I’ve only got days. It’s very surreal. Thank you so very very much for all your support I’ve received along the way.”
Bland, who lives in Cheshire with her husband of six years and their two-year-old son Freddie, discovered in May that her cancer had become incurable.
Writing about her experience last month, she revealed she had not yet asked how long she had left as she didn’t want to be “counting down”.
“I’m not scared of dying,” she said. “I only fear for those I leave behind. I have to suppress a lot of the darkest thoughts about Freddie growing up without his mummy around.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the precious times we have left together.”
The Welsh presenter is racing to finish her memoirs to help her son navigate life without her.
She said: “As he grows up he’ll get all the stories about me from my husband Steve.
“But he doesn’t remember them all in the way that I remember them. I hope he can read my personality off the page and hear my voice through it.”
She has also been documenting her experiences on her blog, Big C Little Me, and in a podcast series – You, Me and the Big C.
Following Bland’s announcement, friends and colleagues offered their support on Twitter.
BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern said: “I am so gutted for you and your family. The podcast has clearly helped so many people and you did it with such style, humour and bloody brilliance.
“Thank you for everything you have done.”
Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman said: “Oh Rachael. I am so very sorry.
“What you have done has been amazing and helped so many. Sending so much love to you.”