In November 2016, Welsh journalist and BBC newsreader, Rachael Bland, aged 40, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. 

Following her diagnosis, Rachael launched the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C with fellow cancer bloggers, Lauren Mahon and Deborah James. Discussing the highs and lows of life with cancer, and all that came in between, the trio welcomed a host of celebrities and medical experts to provide advice and share their own stories. The podcast shed light on some of the real-life hurdles that came with a cancer diagnosis, and explored issues in human, humorous detail. 

The podcast came became a huge hit and welcomed thousands of listeners across the country with high praise from cancer patients and medica experts. 

In early 2018, whilst still recording the podcast, Rachael participated in a clinical trial of experimental treatment at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, in an attempt to prevent or postpone the spread of her cancer. This was unsuccessful and in May 2018, Rachael announced that her cancer had spread and was incurable. 

Despite this, she continued to blog and run the podcast whilst at the same time writing a memoir for her four-year-old son, Freddie. The Sunday Times bestseller, ‘For Freddie’, was Rachael’s life story in her own words, including advice that only a Mum can give her son and was part of a legacy that she left for him.  

Rachael tragically died on 5^th September 2018, just two years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

SkinBase’s co-founder and owner, Richard Faulkner, met Rachael and her husband, Steve, at an NCT group in 2015 when Rachael was pregnant with Freddie and Richard’s wife, Hannah was pregnant with their first child. The group became extremely close, with their children creating lasting friendship as they grew to become toddlers. 

And that’s why SkinBase is this month supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

We’re asking you to also pledge your support to a cause that’s helping
thousands of breast cancer patients and their families, every day. We want to highlight the importance of breast awareness and education, so will be raising funds to help make this life-saving research happen!

During October, every time a SkinBase treatment that takes place, we’ll donate £1 to the inspirational charity, Breast Cancer Now!

On October 18th (Wear it Pink Day), the SkinBase team will also be taking part in a sponsored row which will see head office employees take to the rower to raise even more funds. 

We’d love to see all your photos and will share them on our social media channels. (You can find us by searching @skinbase_facial). 

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Breast Cancer Now's wear it pink day is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK and is taking place on 18 October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.From research to care, our charity has people affected by breast cancer at its heart - providing support for today and hope for the future. The money you raise by taking part in wear it pink will help us to carry out life-saving research, provide life-changing support and campaign effectively for better services and care.We believe that if we all act now, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live. And your support will help us make it happen.