Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rachael Bland hits out at online trolls who accused her of not fighting cancer hard enough

'There were even some berating me for not trying hard enough to save myself'

Jack Shepherd
Wednesday 05 September 2018 06:17 EDT
Comments
BBC presenter Rachael Bland who has terminal cancer discusses finding her lump

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Update: Rachael Bland has passed away after a lengthy battle with breast cancer

Rachael Bland has spoken out about how she has been berated by social media trolls since announcing her diagnosis of breast cancer two years ago.

The BBC Radio 5 Live presenter announced earlier this week that she has “only got days to live” following a recent diagnosis.

An essay by the 40-year-old co-host of podcast You, Me and the Big C – written ahead of the announcement – has been published by Huffington Post. In it, Bland reveals the online harassment she has received, including people telling her she was not “trying hard enough” to fight cancer.

“I was sent so many beautiful messages along with many telling me to go to foreign climes to try miracle cancer treatment – FYI these all get deleted immediately,” she writes.

There were even some berating me for not trying hard enough to save myself. But I am 100% behind modern medicine and have enrolled on a clinical trial.”

Bland also thanks those who have been supportive and details how she has coped with the diagnosis.

The broadcaster has been 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.

Writing in The Telegraph last month, Bland said: “I’m not scared of dying. I only fear for those who I leave behind.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in