Susanna Reid has paid tribute to ‘beautiful friend’ Suki Thompson who died of skin cancer just days after appearing on Good Morning Britain.
The presenter, 52, took to Instagram on Tuesday to confirm the devastating news of the death of former advertising industry executive Suki after a terminal battle with the disease.
Last month, campaigner Suki was interviewed by Susanna on GMB from her hospital bed about being diagnosed with cancer four times in the last 15 years and the importance of wearing SPF on your skin when out in the sun.
Just days later on July 30, Suki sadly passed away and Susanna has now paid tribute to her “beautiful” friend in an emotional post shared on Instagram.
She posted a photo of the order of service for Suki’s funeral, writing in a caption that her friend was the “embodiment of strength.”
Emotional: Susanna Reid has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful friend’ Suki Thompson, who sadly passed away just days after her appearance on Good Morning Britain
Tribute: The presenter, 52, took to Instagram on Tuesday to confirm news of Suki’s passing after a battle with cancer and shared a photo of the order of service from her friend’s funeral
She posted, “Our beautiful friend Suki Thompson. The embodiment of strength and optimism. A passion to live life to the fullest. Going well sweetheart.’
Just days before her death, entrepreneur Suki, who ran several businesses, had appeared on GMB from her hospital bed, where she was being interviewed by her good friend Susanna.
Having been diagnosed with cancer four times in the past 15 years, Suki shared that she may only have a few days to live on the show, before her death on July 30.
Suki spoke from her bed at a Cornish hospice, telling Susanna and co-host Martin Lewis how she would spend her final days.
Susanna was visibly moved when she and her friend shared how much they meant to each other, with the broadcaster hailing her boyfriend as “an inspiration.”
Susanna said to Suki, “It was a privilege to know you and be friends with you.”
She went on to call her an “incredible person,” before adding, “What you do is so remarkable. Big love to you and the family. And just keep going, keep going. Human sunshine.’
Suki spoke the kind words to her friend and said back to Susanna, “I’m so inspired by having a friend like you, Susanna.”
Moved by Suki’s moving words, Susanna swallowed back tears as she quickly added, “You are the inspiration.”
Struggle: Last month, campaigner Suki (right) was interviewed by Susanna on GMB from her hospital bed about being diagnosed with cancer four times in the past 15 years
Close: In June, Suki shared an emotional video of herself and Susanna holding hands on a beach as she talked about how much the star meant to her
Devastating: Suki’s diagnosis came when she discovered what she thought was a wart on her foot and was given verruca cream to treat it, before it was confirmed to be more serious
Suki’s diagnosis came when she discovered what she thought was a wart on her foot and was given plantar wart cream to treat it, before it was confirmed to be more serious. The cancer then spread to her brain and became terminal.
In June, Suki had shared an emotional video of herself and Susanna holding hands on a beach, talking about how much the star meant to her.
She wrote in her caption, “Friends are so important to our well-being, and @susannareid100 is one of the best.
‘Susanna inspires me to always ask the important questions in life, even if it’s not the easiest way forward.
“We should always try to see the best in people, even if you don’t agree.”
Suki co-founded the intermediary marketing consultancy Oystercatchers in 2007 before becoming president of the Marketing Society.
She was also a valued member of Wacl (Women in Advertising, Communications and Leadership) and the MGGB (Marketing Group of Great Britain).
Since her own cancer diagnosis, she has raised over £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Richard Robinson, general manager of Xeim Engage and Oystercatchers, said The drum: ‘Suki was my old business partner and friend. I always knew from my first day as an oystercatcher that this day would come, but I never thought it would.
“Suki was one of a kind, the best of us, someone who leaves a legacy in the marketing and communications industry in the relationships she formed and the humanity she shared. She was a beautiful soul and I will miss her dearly.’
Visit Suki’s JustGiving page at https://justgiving.com/page/teamsuki to support her fundraiser.
WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma means that no skin pigment cells are involved.
BCC often appears as scabs that bleed
BCC makes up more than 80 percent of all skin cancers in the UK and US.
About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and about 100,000 in the UK.
It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds.
BCC can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and ears.
The following people are most at risk:
- People with white skin or hair
- who work outside the home
- People who use tanning beds
- Those with a personal history of the condition
BCC is usually painless. Early symptoms often only include a scab that bleeds occasionally and does not heal.
Some appear as flat, red, scaly spots or have a pearly rim. The latter can then erode into an ulcer.
Others are lumpy with shiny nodules criss-crossed by blood vessels.
Most BCCs can be cured, but treatment is complex if they are kept for a long time.
Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous growth and some of the surrounding skin.
Source: British Skin Foundation And NHS choices
