Raquel Escalante has tragically died following a battle with cervical cancer
Tributes have been flooding in for much-loved television presenter, Raquel Escalante, who has tragically died from cervical cancer at the tender age of 28. The former beauty queen had been fighting the disease since February of last year.
In January, she made an emotional plea for financial assistance to cover the costs of kidney surgery, and was awaiting a kidney transplant when she sadly passed away due to kidney failure on Friday (November 28). The star was best known for her role as host on Qué Chilero and other programmes on TV Azteca Guate, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Throughout her battle with cancer, Raquel kept her thousands of Instagram followers updated on her journey. In a heartfelt post from April, she wrote: “I’m not a model in these photos, I’m a woman who has experienced pain, who has faced fear, and who still chooses to keep shining. This is me: body, soul, and spirit in God’s hands.
“And if this image touches your heart, let it be a reminder that you, too, can get up, again and again.” The presenter, originally from Santa Rosa in Guatemala, began her modelling career at a young age and participated in both international and national events,” reports the Express.
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Raquel also competed in the Miss Tourism World finals in China in 2017. She was crowned Miss Guatemala Intercontinental in 2021 and quickly became one of the country’s most cherished representatives.
Following her successful pageant career, Raquel joined the TV Azteca Guate family, with a spokesperson from the channel sharing a touching tribute after her death. They wrote: “The TV Azteca Guate family joins in solidarity with her parents, loved ones, friends, and fans, accompanying them in this moment of profound sorrow.
“We thank Raquel for her dedication, her ever-present smile, and for illuminating our screens with a talent that will forever remain in our memory. Rest in peace, Raquel Escalante. Your legacy will live forever in Guatemala’s heart.”
The sad news comes after legendary BBC Radio 2 presenter Brian Hayes died aged 87. The presenter’s five-decade career saw him lead some of the most influential radio output of his era, including the phone-in show on LBC radio. Hayes was born in Perth in Australia before he moved to Britain in the early 1970s.
He joined Capital radio as a producer when the station launched in 1973 then moved into a presenting role. He made his name when he started to present the morning interview and phone-in show on LBC.
His colleagues announced his death this weekend, with friend Anno Brandreth writing: “RIP Chris Tynan. Chris was a well-loved and important part of the Naturewatch team and did great work locally to promote the things we love and are important to listeners.”
Sharing a photo of Chris, they added: “He will be sadly missed, and we will hopefully do something in a future broadcast to honour him; it is a sad day for us all. Chris is here on the left in his wonderful penguin jumper.”
Chris’s last post on his Instagram account was his announcement that he was stepping down from his role at the RSPB Liverpool group. He said: “I have finally stepped down as group leader of the RSPB Liverpool group after 30 years of volunteering. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to show birds, habitats, and nature to so many people.
“Couldn’t have done it without the committee past and present. Thank you all so much for the kind words, gifts, and cake. Thanks also to my wife and family for allowing me to do this for so long.”
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, visit Macmillan Cancer Support or Stand Up to Cancer
