Rachael Bland

Rachael Bland was a British journalist renowned for her work with BBC Radio 5 Live and her podcast, You, Me and the Big C. Her memoir, For Freddie (2019), published after her death, is a touching narrative reflecting her battle with cancer.

Rachael Rebecca Bland (née Hodges) was born in Creigiau, Cardiff. Bland started her journalistic career at BBC Wiltshire before advancing to prominent roles at BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC World News.

Rachael Bland married Steve Bland, an executive producer at BBC Radio 5 Live, with whom she had a son, Freddie. She was also an active triathlete, participating in events like the London Triathlon to raise cancer awareness.

Diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in November 2016, Bland chose to confront her illness head-on. "I want to be remembered as Rachael, the news presenter, not Rachael, the cancer patient," she declared. This resolve was evident in her continued work, including the critically acclaimed podcast You, Me and the Big C, a support and information podcast for cancer survivors.

Amidst treatment, Bland shared her experiences candidly, often injecting humor into her discussions. Despite undergoing an experimental clinical trial, her condition worsened, and she was informed her cancer was incurable.

Determined to leave a legacy for her son, Bland penned For Freddie during her final months. This memoir, published posthumously on February 21, 2019, is a heartfelt tribute to her son, encapsulating her love, battles, and hopes for his future.

It opens with a touching letter to her son: "My beautiful son, I so wish that I didn’t have to leave you now. But believe me, I tried EVERYTHING I could to stay around for you."