“Inspirational” breast cancer campaigner Kate Rackham has died, aged 45.
The teacher and mother-of-two, from Manchester, had worked to raise awareness of the condition since her diagnosis at the age of 39.
In a tweet shared from her X account Teacher with Cancer on Wednesday morning, she wrote to her 23,000 followers: “If you’re reading this, it means I have died.
“But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to.
“i joined X because I needed an outlet, what I got was so much more. You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you”.
If you’re reading this, it means I have died. But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to. I joined X because I needed an outlet, what I got was so much more. You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you ❤️
— Teacher with Cancer (@kate_rackham) June 13, 2024
Kate co-founded charity Fighting to be Heard Foundation, a volunteer-run organisation “fighting to raise awareness and offering financial support and friendship for those living with incurable secondary breast cancer”.
In the last post published by Kate, posted on June 7, she apologised to her followers for a recent “lack of communication” and said the last week had been “surreal and overwhelming”.
“Hospital stays, illness, procedures, uncertainty, and then hearing the words ‘There is nothing more we can do’,” she wrote. “I needed a bit of time.
“I’m now home, where I want to be. With Mark and the girls. Surrounded by love, family and friends.
“Everyone is rallying around and I have so much support. Despite everything, I feel blessed.”
She leaves behind her husband Mark and two young daughters.
News of her death has been met with an outpouring of grief and messages of condolence from the tens of thousands of X users who followed Kate’s journey with secondary breast cancer, as she opened up about her treatment and hospital stays, her emotions, and raising her young family while fighting the disease.
“Sad, sad news this,” wrote one follower. “Yes Kate - you dictated the terms not that horrific disease. I hope your family can take comfort in this difficult time and accept my condolences. Your journey was inspirational.”
Emma Cate Stokes wrote: “Thank you for sharing your journey with grace and dignity. I hope wherever you are you are no longer in pain. Sending love and thoughts to your family.”
Another follower named Glen wrote: “I begin chemo next week for the second time so have some inkling of what you may have experienced in your breast cancer journey. I'm so very sorry that you journey has come to an end, and I send your loved ones strength and love as they adjust to life without you”.
“As a mum who just fought triple neg breast cancer, my heart bleeds for your loved ones,” said another follower. “God bless you and rest well.”
