Girls Aloud members have commemorated the fifth anniversary of Sarah Harding's passing, who died in 2021 at the age of 39. The singer's death, just a year after she publicly disclosed her cancer diagnosis, deeply affected her bandmates and fans.
Nicola Roberts, 40, posted a throwback image of the band from 2005 on Instagram, expressing her thoughts for Sarah's mother, Marie. Roberts reflected on the passage of time, stating, "It’s hard to believe it’s been five years already since Sarah’s passing." She added, "So much has happened that she should have been a part of. My love is particularly with Marie today." Roberts described feeling "very sad and transported to this day 5 years ago" and expressed pride in Harding's legacy through her charity work, noting that efforts to support her cause continue to save lives.
Other tributes included comments from Katie Piper and Sugababes' Keisha Buchanan. Kimberley Walsh, 44, reposted the band's official tribute, simply captioning it with "Five years" and a heartbroken emoji.
In a recent appearance on Olivia Attwood's podcast, Olivia's House, Nadine Coyle recounted a conversation with Harding about her potential final Christmas. Coyle shared memories of preparing for Christmas with Harding, who had been told her upcoming Christmas could be her last. Coyle described the unfathomable nature of that news and her initial disbelief.
Olivia's House has partnered with Tombola and Breast Cancer Now to encourage regular breast self-checks and for people to check in on their friends' health. Research indicates that a friend's reminder prompts 53% of women to check their breasts, while 38% admit to neglecting their health. Breast cancer affects approximately 55,000 women annually in the UK, with over 11,500 deaths, and 266,000 cases in the US, resulting in 40,000 fatalities. The disease stems from cancerous cells developing in the breast ducts or lobules, and can be classified by stage and grade, indicating its size and growth rate. While most cases occur in women over 50, younger women and men can also be affected. Symptoms often include a painless lump or swelling in the armpit, and diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, mammograms, and biopsies. Treatment options range from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy to hormone therapy, with early diagnosis significantly improving the chances of successful treatment.