Rachel Bland's story has touched hearts the world over. Image BBC'I want to leave an imprint of my love behind'
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Rachael Bland has revealed how she is wrapping 18 years' worth of presents for her Three-year-old son ahead of her death.
Writing on the Huffing Post, the 40-year-old co-host of the You, Me and the Big C podcast said that she is "knowingly approaching the end of [my] life at just 40 years old, with a husband [I] adore with all [my] heart and a three-year-old son [I] love so much that if [I] looked at him too long [my] heart could burst."
However, Rachel wants to "leave an imprint of my love behind for the rest of [her son's] life."
"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," she wrote.
"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.
"I’m also planning and wrapping birthday presents which he can open between the ages of four and twenty one.
"Personal effects like my notepads – so he can see what my writing was like. Or the perfume he helped pick out for me earlier this year so he’ll remember my smell. And his all-important box of newborn keepsakes.
"The main thing is that, while he’s so young, I want him to remember me in some way.
"I hope the book and these gifts and notes will leave an imprint of my love behind for the rest of his life."
Rachael described her memoir as "a collection of all those stories your parents tell you over the years from their point of view, mixed in with all the advice they give you."
Ms Bland was informed in April of her incurable cancer, after first being diagnosed in 2016.
On Monday, she took to Twitter to inform her fans and friends that she has "only got days" left to live, in a touching post:
''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 has revealed how she is wrapping 18 years' worth of presents for her son ahead of her death.''
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
The post struck a core with twitter users and followers of Rachel, and has been retweeted and liked thousands upon thousands of times.
11:45 AM
Rachel's family has confirmed to the BBC that the mum-of-one died peacefully in her home in the early hours of this morning.
