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Rachael Bland

For Freddie

A Mother's Final Gift to Her Son

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 21/02/2019

ISBN: 9781789291322

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Autobiography & Memoir

Binding: Hardback

Size: 234 x 153 mm

Extent: 320 pages

Illustration: 2 x 16pp colour plates

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

Edition Status: Out of Print

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Summary:

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

The inspirational memoir from the founder of the You, Me and the Big C podcast, Rachael Bland. Courageous and life-affirming, this is a mother’s final gift 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, and for every moment I could eke out of this life. From the outset, it was not a fair fight. My cancer was too big, and too aggressive, and we didn’t start on a level playing field. You were fourteen months old and at the beginning I was so full of fierce intention that we could get past this. I would lay you in your cot each night and silently communicate from my mind to yours, ‘I will do this Freddie, I will gladly take whatever they throw at me if it means we can stay together’.

In 2016, beloved broadcaster and journalist Rachael Bland was diagnosed with cancer. Shortly afterwards she made the brave decision to share her story, and she spoke with beautiful poignancy through her blog and podcast, You, Me and the Big C.

Having been told that she only had a matter of months left to live and writing this in what were sadly her final days, Rachael brings her warmth, courage and humour to the page in this heart-warming and heart-breaking story. Part memoir, part advice, For Freddie beautifully encapsulates the grace and fearlessness in which Rachael lived her life. This is her legacy and an incredible final gift to her son.

Includes moving contributions from Richard Bacon, Tony Livesey, Emma Barnett, Shelagh Fogarty, Mark Pougatch, Chris Stark and many more.

Reviews:

Courageous and self-effacing as well as being funny and heartbreaking.

Daily Express

Frank, funny and poignant.

The Sun

A] moving tribute.

Daily Mail, Femail

Incredibly moving [...] as funny as it is courageous and heartbreaking.

Daily Mirror

Touching

Good Housekeeping

One of the most life-affirming books I've ever read. I can't recommend it enough.

Good Living Magazine

Sales points:

  • You, Me and the Big C was ground-breaking, completely changing much of the rhetoric around cancer. The podcast is continuing with Rachael's co-hosts, Loz and Debs, and they will be presenting an episode (or more) around the book.

  • Rachael was an inspiration to so many and this memoir brings her famed humour and resilience vividly to the page – with not a trace of self-pity.

  • Rachael’s husband, Steve Bland, also once part of the BBC team, will be promoting the book and there will be a rostrum of sensitive nationwide events planned to promote the book.

  • A portion of the royalties will be donated to Breast Cancer Now, a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1160558)

About the Author:

Rachael Bland

Rachael Bland (née Hodges), was a Welsh journalist, best known for presenting news on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 1's North West Tonight. After training as a broadcast journalist, Rachael presented news bulletins on BBC Wiltshire. She then moved to BBC Radio 5 Live, first reading the news on Richard Bacon's show. Rachael also presented on North West Tonight as both a newsreader and as a stand-in presenter. She was known for her podcast, You, Me and the Big C which was broadcast when she was diagnosed with cancer. Rachael sadly died in September 2018 and she leaves behind her husband Steve and their son, Freddie.

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