Britain was moved by Mrs Bland's bravery as she battled breast cancer
An emotional BBC Radio 5 Live presenter fought back tears today as he announced the 'very sad' death of his colleague Rachael Bland aged 40.
Chris Warbuton was live on air at 11am when he revealed the news that Bland had died following her inspirational two-year public battle with cancer.
The mother-of-one and newsreader from Cheshire, who had triple negative breast cancer, moved thousands of people who hailed her bravery and dignity as she fought terminal illness.
Announcing the death today, an audibly emotional Warbuton said: 'Good morning, it's now 11am and this is Chris Warbuton on 5 Live. And I'm afraid I've got some very sad news to bring you.
'And the news is that our beloved colleague, 5 Live presenter and newsreader Rachael Bland has died this morning, nearly two years after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Rachael leaves behind her husband Steve and her young son Freddie.'
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Rachael Bland moved thousands of people who hailed her bravery as she fought the illness
Bland died this morning, nearly two years after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer
He then gave an obituary for his colleague, who had died only eight hours earlier, before his voice wobbled as he read out a tribute from Bland's husband Steve.
Bland's other colleagues also paid tribute to her today, including Tony Livesey, presenter of 5 Live Drive, who talked about the on-air rapport they shared.
He said: 'Right now Radio 5 Live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We've lost one of our brightest talents.
'Actually............rewind.
'That's not true.
'We've not lost her; she's not passed on; she's not succumbed.
'Rachael Bland - presenter, friend to most of us, inspiration to all - has died.
'There, I've said it'.
Rachel Bland died after battling cancer for two years. She documented her treatment and raised awareness about breast cancer
'What does terminal look like anyway?' Mrs Bland bravely documented the end of her life through social media and her podcast
Rachel revealed on her Instagram her husband spent his birthday by her side in hospital
Speaking to 5 Live's Chris Warburton, Livesey said: 'Initially when we first met I thought she was a posh girl, we were chalk and cheese. But we just got on so well.
'What I'm getting from people today who remembered the evening show we did together was just how we were slightly bonkers together.
'And we helped a lot of people through a lot of tough times. It's our job to do that now with Steve and Freddie.'
The mother-of-one and newsreader from Cheshire had triple negative breast cancer
Bland, pictured with her husband Steve and three-year-old Freddie, died early this morning
Livesey added: 'The closer to death she became, the determination she had to stick two fingers up to cancer was gloriously disproportionate to her state of health.'
Livesey revealed how Bland encouraged her colleagues not to be sad around her following her diagnosis.
He described her as an 'established pro' who helped him learn the ropes when he came to the station.
Livesey said: 'She would be on air and there would be breaking news and she was as consummate a BBC professional as you could find.
'She would have the nation gripped and she would inform the nation and the next minute she would be laughing.'
5 Live host Emma Barnett (left, with Bland) tweeted: 'Rachael Bland who kept smiling (and telling me which side to stand on in our photos) regardless of what life kept on throwing at her'
Chris Warbuton was live on air at 11am today when he revealed the news of her death
A number of other fellow broadcasters also shared their sadness at the news of her death.
BBC Radio broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd tweeted: 'No one was more important to Rachael than her beloved Steve and Freddie. But BBC 5 Live is an extended family, and this feels like a family bereavement. RIP Rachael #YouMeBigC.'
Zoe Ball said: 'Rest in peace dear Rachael. So moved by her strength and bravery, her honesty, as a mum, as a woman.
'Makes you stop to think about how precious our moments here are. She's helped and will continue to help so many folk fighting cancer and life threatening illnesses.'
Tony Livesey's tribute to Rachael Right now Radio 5 Live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We've lost one of our brightest talents. Actually............rewind. That's not true. We've not lost her; she's not passed on; she's not succumbed. Rachael Bland - presenter, friend to most of us, inspiration to all - has died. There, I've said it. Rachael didn't hold with euphemisms; as she told me time and again and repeated frequently on her fantastically uplifting, award-winning 'You, Me & the Big C' podcast: 'I'm going to die. Why not call it what it is?' In fact, the closer Rachael came to her death her determination to stick two fingers up to this bloody disease became gloriously disproportionate to the state of her health. And boy oh boy did she take us all with her as she defied a conventional death. In her selfless determination that others should benefit from her crappy predicament she broke taboos, raised spirits, laughed in the face of cancer and gave us a right rollicking if we didn't laugh with her. I met Rachael on my first 5 Live show in 2010 when she held my hand on-air as I learned the ropes. We subsequently broadcast together many, many times and most recently she was my co-presenter on Drive every Friday. She was never afraid to take the mickey, to subvert the norm and her default position was a cheeriness that has left many of us astounded as the chemo, cold cap, guinea pig pill tests and general hell that comes with cancer came and went. The ONLY time she privately expressed any concern to me was about how her husband Steve and son Freddie would cope without her. Even then, she rolled up her sleeves, wrote a life guide for Freddie, and found a publisher. 'Tell Freddie everything,' I urged her. 'He'll want to know all about his fabulous mum.' We here at 5 Live can certainly tell him some stories. There was the time she stole my moment of history. I was all set to become the first ever voice of 5 Live from our new home in Salford. The posters had been printed, the bigwigs were lined up through the glass. I'd prepped my first words: 'One small step etc...' Then, just as I drew breath, Rachael wandered into the studio, sat down and read the news. Hers was the first voice to be heard. She winked and walked out. Rest in peace Rachael AND rest assured. Your 5 Live family is remembering you with the widest of smiles. X
Jacqui Oatley wrote: 'Sleep tight, dear inspirational Rachael. You'll never be forgotten...'
And Radio 5 Live presenter Anna Foster tweeted: 'Fly high Rachael, we'll never forget you and we'll make sure your incredible work lives on.'
Blogger Sophie Eggleton said: 'My heart is breaking for and her family. Everything I want to say feels cliche, but what a woman. What she’s done for others is incredible. Forever inspired by her.'
Radio 5's controller, Jonathan Wall, described the presenter as 'part of the fabric of 5 Live' and said that today was 'a very sad day for all of us and so many of our listeners'.
He ended his tribute saying: 'We are all so proud at what she achieved - a truly heroic broadcaster and lovely wife, daughter and mum.'
There was never any good news, no let-up or respite. But BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland refused to quit the fight.
After enduring chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a lumpectomy, a mastectomy and other surgical procedures to try to halt the spread of the cancer tearing through her body, in the last months she was undergoing experimental treatment as part of a clinical trial in the hope of gaining more time.
It was all for Freddie, of course, her little boy, whom she so wanted to see grow up.
BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland, 40, (left, with son Freddie) died in the early hours of yesterday morning after enduring chemotherapy, radiotherapy, a lumpectomy and a mastectomy to try to halt the spread of cancer
Final words: In her last article, she wrote: 'When you are in my position — knowingly approaching the end of your life, with a husband you adore with all your heart and a three-year-old son you love so much that if you looked at him too long your heart could burst — you need two major things to get you through. 'Hope. And denial'
Tragically, the 40-year-old died in the early hours of yesterday morning, peacefully, with her family at her side, two days after her final social media post, in which she said, managing a little humour even at this time: 'In the words of the legendary Frank S — I'm afraid the time has come my friends.'
Right up to the end, Rachael had clung to hope, kept smiling, for little Freddie's sake.
In her last article, written only a week ago, she wrote: 'When you are in my position — knowingly approaching the end of your life, with a husband you adore with all your heart and a three-year-old son you love so much that if you looked at him too long your heart could burst — you need two major things to get you through.
'Hope. And denial. It is as a mother that I have to employ my strongest skills of denial.
'If I were to release my feelings about leaving my precious, beautiful Freddie behind, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the rest of my time on this earth.
Family life: 'If I were to release my feelings about leaving my precious, beautiful Freddie (left) behind, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the rest of my time on this earth,' the mother said
Rachael spent her final weeks writing a memoir, For Freddie. 'The main thing is that, while he's so young, I want him to remember me in some way,' she wrote
'So I tuck them away, graciously accept every little hug, squeeze, cuddle and utterance of 'I love you so much, Mummy', and try not to let him see it break my heart.'
Rachael spent her final weeks writing a memoir, For Freddie, as fast as her failing strength would allow, giving him advice, telling him her likes and dislikes — and instructing him to ignore anyone who had a bad word to say about The Sound Of Music, one of her favourite films.
Laughing is good for your very soul. I hope you laugh as much in the future as you do now. You currently find yourself and other things so funny that you laugh until you're sick. I love to see you this happy and discovering your own sense of humour. Always keep that.
She also put together a collection of keepsakes for him: her notebooks, so he would know what her writing was like, and the perfume he chose for her earlier this year.
Rachael also planned to wrap birthday presents for her son to unwrap every year until he turns 21.
Sadly, she didn't make even his third birthday, which will be on September 16.
'The main thing is that, while he's so young, I want him to remember me in some way,' she wrote. 'I hope the book and these gifts and notes will leave an imprint of my love behind for the rest of his life. So he can be sure how very much I love him.'
Rachael Bland moved thousands of people who hailed her bravery as she fought the illness. She spent her final weeks writing a memoir, For Freddie
Rachel revealed on her Instagram her husband Steve (left) spent his birthday by her side in hospital
Over the past 18 months, the Radio 5 Live presenter documented her battle with breast cancer in an award-winning blog, Big C. Little Me, and podcast, You, Me And The Big C, which she did with fellow cancer patients Deborah James and Lauren Mahon.
Frank, unflinching, sometimes humorous and painfully heart-rending on the occasions she spoke about Freddie, the blog provided ballast to those who were going through the same thing and made those who weren't grateful for their lot.
Yesterday, Radio 5 Live presenter Tony Livesey, who worked with Rachael at various stages of her career — and, at the age of 13, lost his own mother to cancer — told the BBC that Radio 5 Live was 'broadcasting with a broken heart'.
Welsh-born Rachael joined the BBC more than 15 years ago and worked on channels including BBC World and BBC North West Tonight.
She married fellow BBC journalist Steve Bland in 2013 and their son, Freddie, was born in 2015. She and Steve were settled in Knutsford, Cheshire, and had just started trying for a second baby when, in November 2016, came the shattering diagnosis — primary triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to four lymph nodes under her arm.
Rachael planned to wrap birthday presents for her son to unwrap every year until he turns 21. Sadly, she didn't make even his third birthday, which will be on September 16
Fond farewells: Over the past 18 months, Rachael documented her battle with breast cancer in an award-winning blog, Big C. Little Me, and podcast, You, Me And The Big C
Rachael had felt a lump in her breast and had reassured herself that it might be something to do with breastfeeding, but saw her doctor anyway to be on the safe side.
When she learned it was cancer, she was, of course, terrified, shocked and devastated. But mingled with these emotions was a level of optimism. She'd run marathons and completed triathlons, she was young and otherwise physically fit.
She believed then that, post-cancer, post-chemo and surgery, there would be a future. And that future, she hoped, would include a brother or sister for Freddie. In her blog, she revealed that, knowing chemotherapy can leave women infertile, she had asked her doctors to allow her to have one cycle of IVF before she began treatment.
I was lucky that I knew what I wanted to do and could focus. If you have that too, then brilliant — if you can't decide just head out into the world and experience things and you'll find your path.
She underwent a procedure, under sedation, to collect her eggs on Boxing Day 2016. Four fertilised embryos were later put into deep-freeze storage.
However, Rachael hoped that once her treatment was completed, she might be able to conceive naturally.
Two days after having her eggs removed, Rachael began four-and-a-half months of chemotherapy at Macclesfield Hospital. She had a cold cap fitted during treatment to help prevent hair loss.
Rachael continued to work during her treatment as well as running around after Freddie. She wrote in her blog: 'As exhausting as it can be having chemo and looking after a toddler, getting his daily dose of energy, joy and positivity is the best medicine.'
On May 19 last year, Rachael underwent a lumpectomy, and had all the lymph nodes removed from under her arm.
At first, it seemed that she might not need further surgery, but in July, Rachael was told more cancer had been detected and she would need a mastectomy.
This was followed by another 'excision' of her breast, when yet more cancerous cells were found.
Doctors were gravely concerned and told Rachael she would need to undergo a second gruelling course of chemotherapy after her radiotherapy treatment.
It all began to take its toll. In January this year, the month she turned 40, Rachael opened up about the creeping fear you can't escape from when you have cancer.
'Cancer comes with its very own specialised form of anxiety,' she wrote. 'There's the obvious fear of death that pervades every thread of your life, from imagining your child without his mummy to picturing your own funeral.
'By far the worst aspect of cancer anxiety is what we in the cancer community call 'scanxiety'. Like an actor is only as good as their last film, so a cancer patient is only as well as their last scan.'
Welsh-born Rachael joined the BBC more than 15 years ago and married fellow BBC journalist Steve Bland in 2013 and their son, Freddie, was born in 2015
Rachael's wry take on living with the disease won her thousands of supporters. And speaking openly about the fears that a person living with cancer often keeps hidden deep away, seemed to help others.
In podcasts, she had frank conversations about the 'Big C' with others, such as actor Greg Wise, whose sister, Clare, died in September 2016 from cancer.
But despite all the treatment she had undergone, Rachael was beginning to worry that she wasn't winning her own battle. She wrote about pain in her hip and in her spine. One morning she woke up feeling horribly sick.
In February, she had further surgery to remove more lymph nodes — and was told that seven out of the 19 were cancerous. This was a sign, she said, that 'the previous four months of chemo hadn't really cut the mustard'.
A few weeks after surgery, her breast became swollen and red, and biopsies were taken.
In April, she received her 'D-Day' call — Death Day, as she put it with grim humour — while she was out at an ice cream farm with Freddie and some of his friends.
Her consultant told her: 'I'm sorry, Rachael — it's back and it's incurable.'
'Hearing those words ripped the air right out of my lungs and I had to lean against a wall to steady myself,' she recalled in her final article, written last week for the Huffington Post.
'On the short journey back, I wept and kept telling Freddie: 'I'm so sorry.' '
Rachael was told her cancer had spread into her left breast and the skin on her chest, and she also had a tumour in her liver and 'suspicious spots' on her spine.
It was time to clutch at straws.
Earlier this summer, she signed up to a clinical trial at the Christie Hospital Clinical Trials Unit. The trial would involve having immunotherapy, which works by kick-starting the immune system into attacking cancer cells.
It has successfully treated a number of cancers, but not breast cancer. The trial would have involved taking a new drug alongside the immunotherapy, designed to make it more effective in breast cancer patients. 'I would love to be writing you a more positive post but unfortunately, the bad news keeps on racking up,' Rachael wrote on her blog in July.
'We are waiting and hoping. Whatever greater power you believe in, send us your collective prayers.'
But the new treatment did not slow down the voracious spread of the disease, and Rachael was finding it difficult to breathe due to fluid amassing between her lungs and ribs.
She was too ill to continue the trial and was sent home from hospital on oxygen, gravely ill.
Rachael was told there was only one more trial available — but only if her respiratory system became 'stable' and she could function without oxygen.
Rachael joined the BBC more than 15 years ago and worked on channels including BBC World and BBC North West Tonight
Tragically, she was never well enough for that to be possible.
Deep down, there began a process of acceptance, of sorts, that she might not make it.
'Sometimes there is a little voice that says: 'Are you enjoying the sun? I don't think you've got another winter in you,' she reflected in a podcast.
Rachael's thoughts turned to the urgency of ensuring that Freddie would grow up knowing as much as possible about his mum, should the worst happen.
She began writing her memoir for him, and putting together the keepsakes that would bring back memories of his mother.
The memoir, she said, would contain 'all the stories and advice I would have given Fred . . . but won't be around to do in person.
'I have to suppress a lot of the darkest thoughts about Freddie growing up without his mummy. I would like to see it published before I die. But at the moment it feels like a race against time.'
She also began passing on thoughts about Freddie's future to her husband Steve's sister.
'I have a WhatsApp group with Steve's sister, where I send her things I want for Freddie and his future. The things that might overwhelm and upset Steve now, but she will make sure happens.
'Like not cutting his hair too short until he really insists, or my wish for him to go to the very best school and university possible, so long as that's what he wants.'
On Monday this week, Rachael revealed that she had been told she had only days to live.
'It's very surreal,' she wrote. 'Au revoir my friends.'
Yesterday, her husband announced her death.
'Our beautiful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family,' he said in a statement.
'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'
In the coming years, Freddie will read his mother's memoir, breathe in her perfume and remember her. And he will, you can be sure, watch The Sound Of Music, too.
SHE changed the conversation around cancer, leaving an inspirational legacy.
BBC newsreader Rachael Bland has died at the age of 40 - two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Claire Wood 12 BBC newsreader Rachael Bland, left, died today at the age of 40 after being diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago
The mum-of-one was the brainchild of the inspirational podcast You, Me And The Big C, which she co-hosted with her best pals and fellow cancer patients, The Sun's Deborah James, 36, and Lauren Mahon, 32.
After Rachael revealed she had "just days to live" on Monday, the podcast soared to the top of the download charts.
The trio's aim was to put the CAN in cancer, to give a brutally honest view of what life with cancer is really like.
Here, Deborah shares a heartbreaking letter to Rachael, which she wrote in the early hours of this morning, after learning her bestie had passed away...
My darling Rachael,
It’s 6am and I’m writing this in floods of tears.
Why? Because normally when it’s 6am I text you. I text you to say I think my cancer has gone bonkers and I’m dying.
I tell you I can’t breathe. I ask you if you’ve experienced similar pains. I tell you I’m scared.
Facebook 12 She was the brainchild of the You, Me And The Big C podcast, which she co-hosted with The Sun's Deborah James and Lauren Mahon. Here, Deborah shares a letter she wrote to Rachael
You would tell me not to be silly - and that “you know when you are dying”.
All the while, you knew you were dying. Yet you were able to listen to me with intense sympathy, most likely wishing you too had “options”.
Today, instead of your morning message about our chart position or latest death joke, I got a text I knew was coming.
It broke my heart to read it, to see in black and white that you're really gone.
Deborah James reveals how Rachael Bland 'held her hand' throughout her own battle with bowel cancer
Twitter 12 Rachael's husband Steve shared the news on her social media today
RACHAEL BLAND 12 Rach, Freddie will be so proud of the legacy you have left, he will always know how much you love him
All I want to do is call you, you would know how I'm feeling. I can't believe it's real.
You were the marathon running broadcaster, I was the marathon running veggie.
We didn't tick any of those cancer risk boxes, yet we were diagnosed within weeks of each other.
I know leaving Freddie was the scariest thing about all this for you...he will always know how much you love him
I was in a dark place, struggling to come to terms with how I could have cancer, at just 35. Fear had taken over, fear for me, my two babies, my family.
And then you reached out to me.
We were both trying to make sense of the sh*t hand we had been dealt.
You knew what I was going through, like no one else. You always had the right thing to say.
Rachael Bland dead aged 40 – BBC newsreader dies two years after breast cancer diagnosis
Twitter 12 You, me and Lauren, we pledged to turn the crap of cancer into a positive, it became our coping strategy. Now, it’s your legacy
We were both grateful that those closest to us didn't understand how we felt.
But we desperately needed to find strength from somewhere. It turned out to be in each other, and the countless others going through this too - the community we became a part of.
We pledged to turn the crap into a positive, it became our coping strategy. Now, it's your legacy.
You wanted to get people talking. Talking about cancer - normalising the conversation around this b****** disease.
With your sheer grit and determination we made it happen.
Facebook 12 You wanted to get people talking. Talking about cancer – normalising the conversation around this b****** disease
You had an idea that most people laughed at, "who wants to listen to a podcast about cancer?", they said.
Radio 5 Live gave us a shot, thanks to you...and You, Me And The Big C was born.
We've all been overwhelmed with the response we've had from listeners, thanks to you, tens of thousands of cancer patients and their families feel a little bit better.
You, Me And The Big C's Lauren's words to Rachael Rachael Bland. Bloody hell baby girl. A woman of sheer class, courage and kick ass humour. It has been an honour to share oxygen with you. Did you ever know how special you are? I hope so mate. Probs should have said this more, but you're my role model. The legacy you have left behind is a thing to behold. You've changed so many lives for the better, including mine. You changed my life, Rach, and I'll carry you in my heart for the rest of it. I'll love you forever, be proud of you always. The world is darker today, my bubs. But your light? That will continue to shine brighter than ever. Steve, Freddie and family, we love you. We've got you. I'm so sorry.
I know right now you'll be having the last laugh, knowing your mission to get people talking has started.
And we realised your dream, the podcast made it to number one. I know you died knowing this, and I know how happy it would've made you. I just wish you were here to celebrate with Lozz and the rest of the team.
We've always agreed that if we don't laugh, we will cry and while I'm crying right now writing this, I promise that I will laugh again.
Deborah James 12 You knew what I was going through, like no one else. You always had the right thing to say
It's hard not to laugh when I think of you, you were one of the only people I know who can flip the darkness of cancer into light.
When my cancer came back, you were the first person I called.
I called you because you were the only person who knew exactly how I was feeling.
You listened to me, you related to all my fears.
We talked about how life can be so damn unfair, how you wouldn't get to see Freddie grow up, or even make his first day at school.
BBC newsreader Rachael Bland and The Sun’s Deborah James launch You, Me and the Big C podcast
It made me feel so lucky to know I've reached those milestones with my babies.
But, you didn't let either of us dwell on the fear.
Instead, you instantly turned our sadness into a debate over if we should re-name the podcast "Til Death Do Us Part".
You sent me a barrage of death jokes, gifs of dancing grim reapers and asked if we should try for a 2 for 1 deal on funerals.
Would we get free flowers if we instagrammed it?!
You were the only reason I was able to laugh through that darkness.
12 You, Me And The Big C has soared to the top of the charts yesterday - I know you saw this, and it made you so happy
Today, I hate cancer more than ever. I hate that it's stolen my bestie, left my world a duller, sadder place.
But, losing you will just make me more determined. More determined to shout even louder about cancer, to talk more and make damn sure the conversation you started carries on.
You lifted the curtain on cancer and put in on the main stage.
By doing so you helped so many people embrace their cancer, rather than run away from it.
You inspired people with your brutal honesty, sharing your story highs, lows...all of it.
RACHAEL BLAND 12 You inspired people with your brutal honesty, sharing your story highs, lows…all of it
You were absolutely determined to make sure people knew you can live with cancer, even if you're dying.
You told people when you had good days, you were honest when you were scared.
You inspired me to do the same.
You didn't lose a battle, you didn't succumb to cancer.
You tried every damn treatment, every miracle "cure", but you had a clever cancer - of course you did, it was yours!
It's taken you from us, and no one is feeling that more than your wonderful Steve, darling Freddie and your family.
Facebook 12 You tried every damn treatment, every miracle “cure”, but you had a clever cancer – of course you did, it was yours!
DEBORAH JAMES 12 Thank you, Rach, for letting me be a part of your life, for showing me one person can change the world. All my love forever x
I know leaving Freddie was the scariest thing about all this for you.
But you have left him an incredible legacy, in your work - something he will forever be able to look back on. He will be so proud of his amazing mum.
You spent days writing everything down for him, making sure that everything you wanted to say was said.
As he grows up, he'll always have your words, straight from his mum's mouth.
He will always know how much you love him.
MORE THINGS CANCER MADE ME SAY DEBORAH JAMES My kids know all about cancer but it's my silver lining, I could save them DEBORAH JAMES Don't let embarrassment KILL you... take the bowel cancer poo test NOW DEBORAH JAMES Screening at 50 for bowel cancer is key - but you MUST learn 5 red-flag signs DEBORAH JAMES My top 3 tips to help you deal with the mental mindf*** that is cancer DEBORAH JAMES Cancer doesn't just f*** with your body - it messes with your mind too DEBORAH JAMES Ten years of marriage and we're stronger than ever - thanks to CANCER DEBORAH JAMES That feeling in my gut was right...my cancer is back - and it's inoperable DEBORAH JAMES Today is ALL that matters, that and the ones you love - cancer opened my eyes DEBORAH JAMES Dear NHS, thank you for saving my son, mum, dad, brother and keeping me alive DEBORAH JAMES The 10 simple ways to help a friend with cancer feel better - and less alone DEBORAH JAMES Flying was my biggest fear...then I got cancer - it's taught me to live life
Your life was too short, but you lived it to the max.
You lived with a purpose, to make people sit up and listen, and we will all make sure that continues.
It will be so hard without you, but we will find a way forward and we will take your message with us.
You will always be in our hearts. I am so proud to call you one of my besties.
Thank you, for giving me the strength, support and laughter through the hardest times.
For allowing me to be part of your life, and showing me and the rest of the world, that one person really can change it.
All my love forever,
Deborah xx
Download the You, Me And The Big C podcast here.
INSPIRATIONAL Rachael Bland has made sure her three-year-old son won't have to navigate life without her.
The 40-year-old died this morning, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
PA:Press Association 11 Rachael Bland died today, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer
RACHAEL BLAND 11 The 40-year-old spent her final months penning her memoirs for her son, Freddie, leaving him a 'mum's guide' to navigate his life by
Little Freddie will have to grow up without his mum, but the brave journalist has left the youngster a series of letters in her memoir, For Fred, to help him navigate his life.
She described being in a "race against time" to finish the letters, after learning in April her triple negative breast cancer was incurable.
Rachael was out at the farm with Freddie, when that fateful call came from her doctors.
Knowing she wouldn't see her son grow up, she vowed to write down everything she wanted to say to him - leaving him a permanent memory of his mum, in her own words.
11 Rachael died in the early hours of yesterday morning, two years after she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer
RACHAEL BLAND 11 Rachael, pictured with her husband Steve and son Freddie, wrapped 18 years' worth of presents for her son
On Monday, Rachael said her goodbyes on social media, revealing in a heartbreaking post that she had "just days to live".
She was the brainchild of the inspirational cancer podcast You, Me And The Big C, which she co-hosted two best pals and fellow cancer patients, The Sun's Deborah James, 36, and Lauren Mahon, 32.
In July, after learning her cancer had spread, Rachael shared some extracts from her memoirs with The Sun.
Speaking at the time, she said: "I want him to know he can be whoever he wants to be and do whatever he wants to do and I'll be proud of him.
"I don't want him to be held back or worry about things. I just want him to have a happy life and do whatever he can - and be a kind, and a generous person."
Here, are some of Rachael's extracts from For Fred...
On being happy...
RACHAEL BLAND 11 Rachael writes: 'I hope that you laugh as much in the future as you do now'
I AM a huge fan of any kind of romcom, Love Actually-esque, feelgood film.
For me, the clue is in the title – I like to watch things on TV that make me feel good and happy because that’s just a nice way to feel, isn’t it?
I haven’t watched a horror film since I was about 15 – I think they would stay with me.
And there’s enough horror and misery in the world not to add to it with fictional accounts, in my honest opinion.
Though I do admire those people who have the resilience of mind to happily sit through a terrifying two hours at the cinema then skip home, happily untouched by what they have seen.
I love to laugh. Laughing is good for your very soul
I also love a good comedy because I love to laugh. Laughing is good for your very soul. I hope that you laugh as much in the future as you do now.
You currently find yourself and other things so funny that you frequently laugh until you are sick.
I love to see you this happy and discovering your own sense of humour.
Always keep that.
Let’s just hope that the vomiting bit settles or that could get annoying on nights out with friends.
Claire Wood 11 Despite her illness Rachael continued to record her BBC Five Live podcast You, Me & The Big C, which she co-presents with Deborah James, 35, who has stage 4 bowel cancer, and breast cancer survivor Lauren Mahon, 32
An extract from The Sun's Deborah James' letter to Rachael THE Sun's Deborah James co-hosted You, Me And The Big C with Rachael, and today shared a letter she wrote her friend after learning she had passed away. She said: "I know leaving Freddie was the scariest thing about all this for you. "But you have left him an incredible legacy, in your work - something he will forever be able to look back on. He will be so proud of his amazing mum. "You spent days writing everything down for him, making sure that everything you wanted to say was said. "As he grows up, he'll always have your words, straight from his mum's mouth. "He will always know how much you love him."
On being brave...
THE 20-year-old me, who was terrified to speak in public yet desperate to be on the radio, seems a world away from 40-year-old me, who you have to turn the volume down on because she’s banging on about herself on the You, Me & The Big C podcast again.
The lesson I guess here, my Fred, is that if you’re of a sensitive disposition like your mummy, which I can see you already are, you’ve got to try to develop a thick skin.
Try not to take things to heart too much, my Fred
Try not to take things to heart too much.
Feel and grieve your disappointments because not everything can go your way in life, then get back out there again and carry on living.
As I now know only too well, you only get one chance at life so grab every opportunity you can and keep on trying.
On her wedding day...
I WAS 40 minutes late to my own wedding day. Timings slipped when the hair and make-up lady arrived late.
Then we sent the bridesmaids off in the vintage Daimler without thinking how long it takes an old car to do a five-mile round trip to the church and back. I stood waiting with Dad for a good 20 minutes cursing that decision.
BBC Press Handout 11 Rachael, pictured on her wedding day, challenged son Freddie to better her terrible record always being late
Twitter 11 Rachael announced she had just days to live earlier this week
Which gave your dad a great ad-lib opener to his speech about how one of the first things I told him about myself is that I hate it when people are late.
I now agree this is ridiculous – your father and I are never on time for anything. If we are first to an event we spend the whole time voicing our shock.
I was late. See if you can better our tardy record
The advice is to aim to get to an event or meeting a good 15 minutes before the stated time. We’ve just not quite managed that ourselves yet.
A challenge for you is to see if you can better our terrible tardy record and restore the good Bland name on the social scene.
Rachel Bland 11 Rachael's memoirs a full of life advice on people, love and happiness for little Freddie
I'VE WRAPPED 18 YEARS' WORTH OF PRESENTS FOR FREDDIE THE devoted mum revealed in a piece she wrote for the Huff Po, before she found out her prognosis, how she planned to wrap 18 years' worth of presents for the toddler. In the post Rachael said she has gathered together a collection of notebooks and perfume - items to help Freddie remember her. She said she planned to wrap 18 years' worth of presents, to make sure her son has a gift from her, every year until he turns 21.
Rachael also said she's set up a Whatsapp group with her sister-in-law, Steve's sister, leaving instructions that her husband might find too hard to deal with right now. They include not cutting Freddie's hair too short, and to make sure he goes to the best school and uni possible - so long as it's what he wants.
On personality...
TRAITS-WISE I can’t stand arrogance – people who like the sound of their own voice too much – and those who are without empathy.
I can already see that you are full of empathy.
I had some pain the other day and you dashed straight off for your medical kit and checked me with your stethoscope and thermometer.
You are so caring and can read people’s feelings
I can already see you are so caring and can read people’s feelings.
These are excellent personality traits to have inherited – I say this because they are from me.
On meeting your dad...
Rachel Bland 11 Rachael, who has already written 12,000 words of her guide, pictured with husband Steve and son Freddie
I KNEW that night, after 33 years, I had found the man I wanted to marry.
For so long I had heard the old adage that “When you know, you know” and I never knew.
The half of your soul that’s been missing slots back in like a jigsaw
Until that moment, when you just know!
It is like the other half of your soul that’s been missing slots back in like a jigsaw piece and you can relax . . . “Ah, there you are”.
Facebook 11 The BBC newsreader has left plenty of career advice for Freddie
On a career...
YOU will note my frequent references to what are now probably defunct research tools – that is the journalist in me.
I’ve always loved the news and knowing what is going on in the world.
It is always good to be informed, it puts you ahead of the game.
At its very basic level, my love for news is pure nosiness and being the first in with the gossip.
I decided fairly early on that I wanted to be a broadcast journalist and just went for it. I was lucky that I knew what I wanted to do and could focus on it.
It’s good to be informed. It puts you ahead of the game
If you have that too then brilliant, if you can’t decide or nothing seems to grab you then just head out into the world and experience things and you’ll find your path.
It all comes back to that autonomy of thought and knowing yourself and what you want out of life.
If that takes years then fine, if you know when you’re ten – great.
But remember, you are here to make yourself and those around you happy, so always keep that in mind.
On his heritage...
HISTORY and heritage are so important, they are what makes us who we are – and I guess this is why I’m writing all this down for you.
I was born and brought up in Wales and, even though I lost my accent after many years of news-reading, I am still Welsh through and through.
There have been a number of jovial arguments between your father and I about which side you would play for should you take up rugby or football internationally.
MORE ON BREAST CANCER RACHAEL'S PAIN Who is Rachael Bland? BBC newsreader who passed away after cancer diagnosis 'LIVE FOR NOW' BBC's Rachael Bland put the CAN in cancer: Her story, in her own words 'MY INSPIRATION' Rach, you changed how we ALL talk about cancer - Freddie will be so proud TRAGIC LOSS BBC's Rachael Bland, 40, dies of breast cancer days after final goodbye post ABREAST OF THINGS The five steps you need to know to check your boobs for breast cancer DAYS TO LIVE BBC's Rachael Bland wraps 18yrs of presents for son as she says last goodbyes NUMBER ONE Rachael Bland's podcast tops the charts - as she reveals she has 'days to live' KRIS HALLENGA CoppaFeel! founder on Festifeel, the music and comedy fundraiser with Mel C 'AU REVOIR MY FRIENDS' BBC newsreader has 'days to live' after cancer becomes incurable KRIS HALLENGA CoppaFeel! founder on the benefits of living near nature than city-living BREAST BE AWARE New calculator predicts risk of breast cancer returning - what's YOUR risk?
We eventually settled on you being an England and Wales cricketer to cover both sides – no pressure!
I know that living in England and spending time watching sport with your dad that you’ll be English first.
But I hope you’ll still have that Welsh dragon roaring inside you from your mummy.
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