BBC journalist Rachel Bland loses the fight to metastatic breast cancer!

Published on September 7, 2018 | Published By: shahid | In Career , Death , Health

BBC presenter and journalist Rachel Bland died had her home on the morning of 5 September 2018
She had breast cancer and was battling it for the last two years until she lost the fight
But she was a courageous lady who continued to smile and live on a positive note despite all odds

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Rachel Bland is no more

BBC journalist and blogger, Rachel Bland, 40 died peacefully on 5 September 2018.

She was suffering from breast cancer and was told a few days before her death by her treating doctors that she had only a week to live. Her family was with her when she died. Her husband tweeted:

“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”

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 pic.twitter.com/soq7YHvF9u
— Rachael Bland (@Rachael_Hodges) September 5, 2018

Her husband Steve told BBC:

“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 much-loved 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.”

Rachel Bland’s last Tweet

Just 2 days before her death when she came to know that her end was near, she had bid goodbye to all via her tweet. She had written:

“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.”

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. 💋💋 pic.twitter.com/DhMurbqMJz
— Rachael Bland (@Rachael_Hodges) September 3, 2018

Tributes pour in for Rachel Bland

Her best friend and colleague Tony Livesay stated:

“5Live’s lost one of its brightest spirits. I’m going into cliche territory now so she’ll be pressing an alarm somewhere, but she was beautiful inside and out. She was such a lovely person.
“Rachael Bland – presenter, friend to most of us, inspiration to all. Radio 5 Live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We’ve lost one of our brightest talents.”

Jonathan Wall, Radio 5’s controller said:

“We are all so proud at what she achieved – a truly heroic broadcaster and lovely wife, daughter and mum.”

Jacqui Oatley tweeted:

“Sleep tight, dear inspirational Rachael. You’ll never be forgotten.”

Hayley McQueen from Sky wrote:

“This is such tragic news about the brilliant journalist Rachael Bland passing away at just 40 years old. May this inspiring courageous woman rest in peace. Thoughts with her husband, family, friends & in particular her young son.”

Her colleague Anna Foster wrote:

“Fly high Rachael, we’ll never forget you and we’ll make sure your incredible work lives on”.

Also read: The host of Gardeners’ World TV Rachel de Thame show reveals that she is suffering from breast cancer and this explains her absence from the last few episodes of the show!

Matt Hancock the Health Secretary also expressed his sadness at her death.

“So sad to hear Rachael Bland has died. She fought so bravely. Her legacy is a testament to how much more we need to do to beat this dreadful disease.”

Rachel had told the Telegraph how her cancer had become metastatic and spread to her lymph nodes and later to the skin and liver. She had said at that time:

“We still had some hope of holding back the tide for a while, but no one survives metastatic breast cancer long term.
“I’ve not asked how long I have left, because I don’t want a number in my head that I’m counting down to. It’s only ever a best guesstimate – but I’ve got less than a year.”

Also read RIP Nicola Heywood Thomas! BBC and HTV broadcaster dies at age 67

Source: twitter.com, bbc.com, telegraph.co.uk

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