BBC broadcaster Rachael Bland has died after being diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.
The 40-year-old passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with her “crushed” close family by her side.
Sharing the heartbreaking news on Rachael’s social media, husband Steve said: “Our brave, beautiful, wonderful, courageous Rachael died peacefully this morning surrounded by her close family.”
“We are all heartbroken and the hole she leaves in our perfect little family will never be filled.”
“We’ll miss her so very much but we couldn’t be prouder of what she achieved in her 40 years, and we are genuinely comforted by the impact we know she had on so many lives.”
“Thank you. Steve and Freddie xxx.”
The mom-of-one was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in November 2016.
In April, doctors dealt the family the crushing blow that Rachael’s breast cancer was incurable.
Her only hope rested with a clinical trial, which she stared in May. But within two months, scans showed her cancer had spread.
On Monday, Rachael posted her final message to fans on social media, revealing she had “just days to live,” signing off with a heartbreaking “au revoir.”
On Tuesday, in a piece Rachael wrote before discovering her time was so cruelly limited, she shared her plans to prepare husband Steve and their three-year-old son Freddie, for the day when she would no longer be here.
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.
And the 40-year-old had been penning a memoir to her son titled, “For Fred,” leaving him with snippets of advice, memories and his mom’s words to guide him as he grows up.
Rachael was the brainchild of the inspirational podcast “You, Me And The Big C” which she co-hosted with two of her best friends who are also living with cancer — The Sun’s Deborah James, 36, and Lauren Mahon, 32.
Heartbroken, James told The Sun: “While totally heartbroken, I am immensely proud of everything that Rachael has achieved and I am so blessed to have been part of that.”
“She has been the most incredible support in my darkest times, she was who I went to at 3 am in the morning.”
“And she’s the person I want to call now to cry down the phone to. It doesn’t feel real.”
“We pledged to turn the crap of cancer into a positive, it became our coping strategy. Now, it’s Rach’s legacy.”
“Today I hate cancer more than ever, but I want to shout louder than ever to make sure the incredible conversation she started carries on.”
“I’m so proud to call Rach one of my besties, and I’m so grateful for the strength, support and love she gave me. For letting me be a part of her life, and showing me and the world, one person really can change it.”
And Mahon tweeted: “Heartbroken doesn’t cut it. Steve, Freddie and family, I love you. I’m so sorry xx.”
Moments after radio host Chris Warburton announced the news on Radio 5 Live on Wednesday morning, the station’s controller Jonathan Wall, said: “It’s a very sad day, Rachael was part of the fabric of this radio station.”
Speaking on 5 Live, after they broke the news to listeners, he said Rachael was “one of the best [broadcasters] in the country.”
“In her own right she was a great broadcaster,” he said.
“She’s brought the most important broadcast of cancer and living with cancer that’s ever been heard.”
“When she came to me with the podcast idea, I wasn’t sure it would work, but it’s the biggest success of its type.”
Tony Livesey, friend and colleague, said: “5 Live’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 — [broadcaster], friend to most of us, an inspiration to all.”
“Radio 5 Live is broadcasting with a broken heart. We’ve lost one of our brightest talents.”
Among the broadcasters, Rachael worked with at 5 Live was Richard Bacon, who today tweeted his tributes.
“So cruel and unjust,” he wrote. “But Freddie will grow up, be able to look back at the tributes, listen to her podcast that will help families for years to come, and know not just that she was courageous but that she was loved by all of us who knew her.”
“And thousands who never even met her.”
Meanwhile, BBC director general Tony Hall added: “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.”
Victoria Derbyshire, who was diagnosed with breast cancer the year before Rachael, sent a message to Steve: “Mark and I are so so sorry for you and your little boy, and your families.
“We are sending all our love and strength to you.”
Olympian Kelly Holmes also paid tribute, adding: “Rachael has done more for awareness than anyone and for that people are truly grateful.”
“My heart and love goes out to all of your family, so sorry.”
Rachael’s brutally honest podcast aimed to put the “CAN in cancer,” and has served as a huge inspiration and source of support for thousands of cancer patients and their families.
The second season launched just weeks ago, having reached number two in the podcast download charts previously.
But as news of Rachael’s final post, saying goodbye to all those who have supported her, swept social media the podcast soared up the charts reaching the number one spot on Tuesday.
Her husband Steve tweeted that his wife was “very happy about it,” adding the family has been so grateful for all the messages of support that have flooded in since Monday.
Tweeting yesterday, he said: “We did it! #YouMeBigC is number 1 and I promise you @Rachael_Hodges is very happy about it.”
“While we’re at it, I’m doing my best to read as many of your messages to her as I can. Can’t tell you how much comfort they are bringing us all. Thank you.”
In her final message to fans of the podcast, Rachael said her wish is that Deborah and Lauren can carry on the podcast.
Posting on Monday, 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.”
And she signed off with a simple, but heartbreaking “au revoir.”