‘SHE WAS PERFECT IN EVERY WAY’
FAMILY OF BBC PRESENTER AND CANCER BLOGGER SHARE DEVASTATING NEWS OF HER DEATH, AGED 40
A BBC news presenter described as an “inspiration to everyone she met” has lost her high-profile battle with cancer.
Radio 5 live journalist Rachael Bland, originally from Creigiau, near Cardiff, revealed on social media earlier this week that she only had days to live.
Her family confirmed she died peacefully at home yesterday, shortly after 3am. She was aged 40.
She was diagnosed with primary triple-negative breast cancer in November 2016 and had been documenting her journey on her blog Big C Little Me, which has the tag line “Putting the can in cancer”.
Her podcast, You, Me and the Big C, reached number one in the UK podcast charts this week after she made her poignant final farewell on Twitter.
A post on Ms Bland’s official Twitter account said: “Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family.
“We are crushed but she would want me to thank everyone who took an interest in her story or sent messages of support.
“You’ll never know how much they meant to her. Steve and Freddie xxx.”
The 40-year-old was married to husband Steve for four years. The couple had a two-year-old son, Freddie, and would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on September 14.
Her husband Steve described her as “perfect in every way”, adding “we will miss her more than words can say”.
He said: “Rachael’s death has left a huge hole in our perfect little family that we’ll never be able to fill.
“She was an incredibly talented broadcaster as well as a wonderful and muchloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife and, most importantly to her, a mother to her precious little Freddie.
“We all take such huge comfort and pride from the amazing and tireless work she has done since her diagnosis to reduce the stigma around cancer and prove that it is possible to live life to the fullest even when facing huge challenges on a daily basis.
“At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful.
“Rachael was and will always be an incredible inspiration to everyone she met. To us, she was perfect in every way and we will miss her more than words can say.
“We just ask that everyone respects our family’s privacy as we try and come to terms with losing our beautiful girl.”
The newsreader was out with son Freddie when she received the devastating phone call to break the news that she only had days to live.
After being diagnosed nearly two years ago, the 40-year-old was told in May the cancer was incurable and that her only hope was through a clinical trial.
Just two months later a scan showed the cancer had spread.
Posting on Twitter earlier this week, she said: “In the words of the legendary Frank S – 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 much for all the support I’ve received. Debs and lozz will continue with the youmebigc podcast. Au revoir my friends.”
Speaking previously to the Sunday Telegraph, Rachael said she was faced with a “race against the clock” to finish a book of memoirs for her son.
She said: “I hugged my beautiful son, Freddie, and told him I was so sorry. I felt so guilty to think I’d be leaving him without a mother.
“I’m not scared of dying. I only fear for those I leave behind. For my darling Freddie, who’ll be three next month, for Steve and our families.
“Even now, knowing the ‘no options left’ conversation is coming, I can’t crumble and fall to pieces.”
BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: “Rachael was a popular and inspiring journalist.
“Everyone has been moved by her courage and dignity. She will be hugely missed by her many listeners and by staff across the BBC.
“Our sympathies go out to her family and many friends at this difficult time.”
Controller of Radio 5 live, Jonathan Wall, said: “Rachael was part of the fabric of 5 live and today is a very sad day for all of us and so many of our listeners.
“She was a very talented broadcaster and a beautiful, loyal colleague to so many.
“More than that, she turned the final year of her life into the finest year of her life, delivering the most important broadcasting I have ever heard about living with cancer, and ultimately facing death because of cancer.
“She has made a profound difference to so many lives.
“We are all so proud at what she achieved – a truly heroic broadcaster and lovely wife, daughter and mum.”