Charlie Anderson-Read, a popular blogger who shared candid updates about her cancer journey, has died at the age of 41. She passed away on Saturday after a three-year battle with a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer.
Anderson-Read was diagnosed with the disease when she was 38 and was initially given only six weeks to live. She is survived by her wife, Louise, and their four-year-old daughter, Florence.
Final video message to followers
Her death was announced to her 52,000 followers a few hours later, when her family posted a pre-recorded video of the blogger. The clip began with a note from her family stating she had passed away at 7.30am on Saturday and is "now at peace".
In the video, Anderson-Read said: "If you are watching this video, I am, unfortunately, no longer here. No, I haven’t kind of posted it from a different world. Someone has kindly posted this on my behalf, so thank you. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you guys. All of your messages and kind words have really helped me through what's been a very difficult time."
Gratitude and final words
The mother also expressed gratitude towards those who donated money that was initially intended for her treatment. When it became clear she was not going to get better, the family decided to use the funds to support Louise and Florence after her death instead.
She continued: "I hope through this being such a terrible situation for me, I hope that some of these videos have helped out at least some people. And through this whole ordeal, I have only come across people being kind to me, generous to me and it's just shown me how much good there is in the world. I hope you guys can see it all now."
Anderson-Read was initially diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and was later re-diagnosed with terminal Cholangiocarcinoma. In her video, recorded a few weeks ago, she added: "Any type of disease, terminal or whatever, is just absolutely awful and I can only imagine what it's been like for my friends and family and to people that have never met me, how hard it's been to watch my journey.
"There's so much I want to say but the words, I guess, I just can't find them, but I am so grateful for the life that I've led. I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. There's nothing that I wish I'd done more. The only things are obviously I wished I had stayed with my family for longer and seen Florence grow up.
"There are things like that, that obviously I wish I was here for. There are many things that I will miss. But there's so much that I've experienced and I've been very lucky to have these extra two and a half years. Longer than that. For that, as well, I am eternally grateful. I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to you guys. Such a lovely community.
"So, for the last time, take care everybody. I wish you all well. Keep fighting. Don't let my passing have any negative effect on people or on you. So all the best, keep fighting. You've got this. And I'll see you. Bye."
Tributes from public figures
Among those who paid tribute were Carrie Johnson, singer and actress Alexandra Burke, and actress Alice Evans. Carrie Johnson commented under the video: "Such and inspiration", followed by two heart emojis.
Alice Evans wrote: "Goodbye you sweet, beautiful person. I knew this was coming, but I'm still devastated. Every inch of you screamed vitality and love of life. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I hope Louise knows we're all here for her if and whenever she needs us." Alexandra Burke posted a white heart and a white dove emoji.
A cancer patient also shared her thoughts, writing: "You are so gracious right to the very last word. I’m trying to follow your example.. although as a stage 4 pancreatic cancer patient it’s hard to see where my journey may go you have given me courage and I will embrace every last minute of my journey. Go Gently On . Xxx."
