Teacher Gill Slatter, who documented her battle with bowel cancer after surviving breast cancer dies at 41
A primary school teacher who documented her cancer battle on social media, becoming known as an ‘inspiration,’ has died.
Gill Slatter, from Whitstable, Kent, started recording her fight with bowel cancer – which she was diagnosed with in 2020 after previously beating breast cancer – sharing regular updates on her Twitter page.
Unfortunately the more-glamorous style of photo have made for more reality now but not much I can do about that! I’m still in the amazing ward that I’ve been on since July 28th and the consultants, Drs, Nurses and and HCAs are amazing. pic.twitter.com/5yDO3rUJZW
— Gill Slatter (@gibigill) December 22, 2022
The 41-year-old developed a huge following, with her posts seen by more than 20,000 people at a time, captioning them #bebrave as she documented her treatment and saying that she felt ‘sad but calm’ when she ran out of treatment options in August.
This morning Gill’s family announced she sadly died in the early hours.
Dear “Twitter Family”, Gill’s mum here. We are heartbroken to tell you that Gill passed away at around 5am today.
Your support and encouragement during the years of her suffering meant so much to her and us her family. (1 of 2)— Gill Slatter (@gibigill) December 29, 2022
Spurs football club helped her promote her message about checking your boobs and poo and donating blood.
But just seven years later she was told by doctors that she had stage four bowel cancer.
Gill then began posting about her life and cancer journey, sharing precious moments such as holidays and going to football.
She also encouraged people to donate blood and get the covid vaccine.
Like Dame Deborah James, who died of bowel cancer last year, she also urged people to check their poo.
Following the announcement of her death, tributes poured in from her ‘Twitter family’.
One wrote how Gill was clearly ‘so generous and brave’.
Another wrote: ‘Gill’s love, humour, and kindness will shine forever as a beacon of hope and encouragement for others.’
Many noted that she ‘touched so many lives’.
One wrote: ‘Although I never met her, I knew her to be incredibly stoic, inspirational and kind despite being dealt the toughest of circumstances.
‘The world is a darker place without her presence, but heaven has gained a tremendous angel.’