BBC radio presenter Rachael Bland has died after suffering from breast cancer, aged 40. A statement posted on her 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.” Bland was married to her husband, Steve, for almost five years and recently said she was rushing to complete a memoir for her two-year-old son, Freddie. She was initially diagnosed with primary triple negative breast cancer in November 2016 and has been documenting the process of dealing with the disease on the podcast You, Me and the Big C, which has the tagline “putting the can in cancer”. The Radio 5 Live broadcaster was told her cancer was incurable in May this year and revealed on the 3 August she had been ruled out of clinical trials due to medical complications. Paying tribute to Bland, husband Steve called her an “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”. He continued: “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.” Controller of Radio 5 Live, Jonathan Wall, also issued a statement following Bland’s death: “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. 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The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. 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At the end, even though her body was at its weakest, her voice was at its strongest and most powerful."<doc-sep>BBC news presenter Rachael Bland, who was widely praised for the manner in which she fought breast cancer, has died aged 40. Just two days ago the journalist, who had been at the BBC for more than 15 years, bade "au revoir" to her friends, revealing she only had days left to live. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and recorded the You Me and The Big C podcast, following her while she underwent treatment, and documented her cancer journey on her blog Big C Little Me. Her family confirmed that she had died this morning shortly after 3am. Mrs Bland's husband Steve told the 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.<doc-sep>
RACHAEL Bland, the BBC presenter who won praise for her honest portrayal of cancer in her blog and podcast, has died aged 40. Her family confirmed she died peacefully at her home, the BBC said. Bland, mother of two-year-old Freddie, was a popular British radio presenter and newsreader. She revealed just yesterday that she had “days to live” after doctors dealt the crushing blow her breast cancer was incurable. The Radio 5 Live broadcaster won praise for co-hosting You, Me and the Big C, a podcast about cancer. She also documented her battle with the disease on an award-winning blog. 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 Following the announcement, Rachael’s husband, Steve said in a statement: “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. He described her as “perfect in every way”, adding “we will miss her more than words can say”. Bland was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2016 after finding a lump under her arm. In August, she said she was writing a memoir to leave for her two-year-old son Freddie as a “love letter to my beautiful boy”. In her final days, fans of You, Me and the big C launched a social media campaign to get Rachel’s podcast to number one on iTunes. “It really does annoy her that we only ever got to No. 2,” the podcast’s producer Mike Holt wrote. One thing we’d love is for @Rachael_Hodges to see our podcast get to No.1. (It really does annoy her that we only ever got to No.2) Subscribe and download here 👇 plus retweet & sharehttps://t.co/MdS30WXxuo ❤️ the #youmebigc family @bowelbabe @GIRLSTOLELONDON @al_enty pic.twitter.com/8oLtw6eabo — Mike Holt (@MikeHolt12) September 4, 2018 Right before her death, the podcast made it to the top of the chart, with Rachel’s husband tweeting his wife was “very happy about it”. We did it @GIRLSTOLELONDON @bowelbabe @MikeHolt12. #YouMeBigC is #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’re bringing us all. Thank you. — Steve Bland (@blandsteve) September 4, 2018 Rachel’s podcast and blog will continue with her co-hosts Deborah James and Lauren Mahon taking over.