Susanna Reid shares her heartbreak as she pays tribute to her friend who sadly died just
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 former advertising industry star Suki’s passing after a terminal battle with the illness.
Last month, Suki was interviewed by Susanna on GMB from her hospital bed about having been diagnosed with cancer four times over the past 15 years and how important it is to wear SPF on your skin in the sun.
Just days later, on July 30, the campaigner – who raised more than £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support following her diagnosis – sadly died and Susanna has now paid tribute to her ‘beautiful’ friend in an emotional post shared to Instagram.
She posted a photograph of the order of service for Suki’s funeral and wrote about how her friend was the ’embodiment of strength’ in an accompanying caption.
Emotional: Susanna Reid has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful friend’ Suki Thompson who sadly died just days after appearing on Good Morning Britain
Tribute: The presenter, 52, took to Instagram on Tuesday to confirm the news of Suki’s passing after a battle with cancer, sharing a picture of the order of service from her friend’s funeral
She posted: ‘Our beautiful friend Suki Thompson. The embodiment of strength & optimism. A passion for living life to the fullest. Go well lovely.’
Just days before her death, entrepreneur Suki, who ran multiple businesses, had appeared on GMB from her hospital bed where she was interviewed by her close friend Susanna.
Suki had been diagnosed with cancer four times over the past 15 years, and told how she might only have days left to live on the show, before her death on July 30.
Speaking from her bed in a hospice in Cornwall, Suki opened up to Susanna and co-host Martin Lewis about how she would be spending her final days.
Susanna was left visibly emotional as she and her friend told each other how much they meant to each other, with the broadcaster hailing her pal as ‘an inspiration’.
Susanna told Suki: ‘It’s been a privilege knowing you and being friends with you.’
She went on to call her an ‘incredible person’, before adding: ‘What you are doing is so so remarkable. Huge love to you and the family. And just keep going, keep going. Human sunshine.’
Extending the kind words back to her pal, Suki said back to Susanna: ‘I am so inspired by having a friend like you Susanna.’
Touched by Suki’s moving words, Susanna choked back tears as she quickly added: ‘You’re the inspiration.’
Struggles: Last month, campaigner Suki (right) was interviewed by Susanna on GMB from her hospital bed about having been diagnosed with cancer four times over the past 15 years
Close: In June, Suki shared an emotional video of herself and Susanna holding hands on a beach as she detailed how much the star meant to her
Devastating: Her 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 it was more serious
Success: Suki co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer for the Oystercatchers intermediary marketing consultancy in 2007 (pictured in 2018)
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 it was 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 as she detailed how much the star meant to her.
She wrote in her caption: ‘Friends are so important to our wellbeing, and @susannareid100 is one of the best.
‘Susanna inspires me to always ask the important questions in life, even when that is not the easiest way forward.
‘We must always look to see the best in people, even when you may disagree.’
Suki co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer for the Oystercatchers intermediary marketing consultancy in 2007 and also served as chair of the Marketing Society.
Huge achievement: Since her own cancer diagnosis she raised in excess of £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support (pictured in 2022)
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 raised in excess of £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Richard Robinson, managing director of Xeim Engage and Oystercatchers, told The Drum: ‘Suki was my long-time business partner and friend. I always knew from my first day as an Oystercatcher this day would one day come, but never believed it would.
‘Suki was one of a kind, the best of us, someone who leaves a legacy across the marketing and communication industry in the relationships she shaped and the humanity she shared. She was a beautiful soul and I will miss her greatly.’
Visit Suki’s JustGiving page at https://justgiving.com/page/teamsuki to support her fundraising campaign.
WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA?
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma means it does not involve skin pigment cells.
BCC often appears as scabs that bleed
BCC makes up more than 80 per cent of all forms of skin cancer in the UK and US.
About 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the US and around 100,000 in the UK.
It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds.
BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and ears.
The following people are most at risk:
- People with fair skin or hair
- Those who work outdoors
- People who use sunbeds
- 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 marks or have a pearl-like rim. The latter can then erode into a ulcer.
Others are lumpy with shiny nodules crossed by blood vessels.
Most BCCs can be cured, however, treatment is complex if they are left for a long time.
Treatment usually involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.
Source: British Skin Foundation and NHS Choices