Susannah Reid’s friend Suki Thompson spent time by the beach joking about the weather with her family before she died from cancer aged 52
- Campaigner and advertising industry star Suki Thompson died aged 52
- Read more: Susanna Reid shares her heartbreak as she pays tribute to her friend who sadly died just days after appearing with her on Good Morning Britain
Cancer campaigner Suki Thompson, a close friend of daytime TV star Susannah Reid, spent the final weeks of her life surrounded by family and friends, taking in views of a Cornish beach she loved.
Reid paid tribute on Tuesday to her ‘beautiful friend’ Suki, 52, who died of skin cancer just days after she’d appeared on Good Morning Britain to urge people to use sunscreen.
Suki, from Hertfordshire, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, before battling melanoma three times. She wrote a book about her ill health called Let’s Reset in 2020.
On her Instagram account, photos show the final weeks of her life were spent with family and friends, including a stay on the Cornish coast at the family’s holiday apartment.
The former advertising high flyer regularly posted about ‘every day being a gift’, sharing moments that had brought her joy in the final months of her life.
Entrepreneur and campaigner Suki Thompson, whose death was announced by her friend Susannah Reid this week, shared videos in recent weeks of her enjoying the British seaside with friends and family (pictured with her sister Tamsen)
In one video clip, in which Suki appeared with her sister Tamsen, the entrepreneur’s sharp wit shines through as she bemoans the British weather – and plants a kiss on the cheek of her sibling.
She’s heard joking in the post: ‘My gift of the day has been not being able to see through to the sea because of pixelated rainy windows.’
One friend commented underneath the clip; ‘Your humour in adversity is a gift to us all.’
Another photo sees her being serenaded by a friend wearing pink and singing ‘I’m just Ken’ from the Barbie film.
Suki had been 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.
Emotional: The friends pictured in happier times; Reid paid tribute to her ‘beautiful friend’ who sadly died just days after appearing on Good Morning Britain
With her daughter Jazmyn; the cancer campaigner urged people to wear sunscreen after her own battle with melanoma
The former advertising high flier regularly posted about ‘every day being a gift’, including this one, where she was serenaded with the ‘I’m just Ken’ song while at the Cornish coast
Speaking from her bed in a hospice in Cornwall, Suki had opened up to Susanna and co-host Martin Lewis about how she would be spending her final days.
Susanna told Suki: ‘It’s been a privilege knowing you and being friends with you.’
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.’
Just days later, on July 30, the campaigner – who raised more than £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support following her diagnosis – died.
Suki’s sharp wit was clear in the videos she posted; in one recent post, she joked: ‘My gift of the day has been not being able to see through to the sea because of pixelated rainy windows’
Success: Suki co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer for the Oystercatchers intermediary marketing consultancy in 2007 (pictured in 2018)
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
Susannah posted a photograph of the order of service for Suki’s funeral, writing how her friend was the ’embodiment of strength’ in an accompanying caption.
She posted: ‘Our beautiful friend Suki Thompson. The embodiment of strength & optimism. A passion for living life to the fullest. Go well lovely.’
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.’
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
‘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.
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.
Huge achievement: Since her own cancer diagnosis she raised in excess of £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support (pictured in 2022)
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.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
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
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