As reported by Pitchfork, Camera Obscura keyboardist Carey Lander has died after a battle with bone cancer.
Lander was initially diagnosed with bone cancer—osteosarcoma—in 2011 after it was found in her leg, and treatment seemed to be successful at the time. Earlier this year, though, Lander announced that the cancer had returned, and the band canceled a number of North American tour dates so she could focus on her health. At that point, Lander and the band also set up a Just Giving page in order to collect donations for the Sarcoma UK cancer charity. On the donation page, Lander explained that osteosarcoma primarily occurs in children and is relatively rare, so it “receives scarce attention or funding.”
Later in the message, Lander adds, “It’s probably too late to help me, but it would be great if we could find something in the future that means children don’t have to undergo such awful treatment and have a better chance of survival.” The page was hoping to raise £50,000 in donations, but it recently exceeded that and has now pulled in over £59,260.
Lander joined Camera Obscura in 2002 and played on all of its albums since then, and the band released a statement about her death on its Facebook page:
We have lost our friend and band mate, and our deepest sympathy goes out to her partner Kenny, and to all her family and friends.
She was touched by the way you all got behind her campaign for Sarcoma UK and you can still donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/Carey-Lander
We shall be continuing to help promote the campaign on her behalf.
She was left in no doubt how much you all loved and appreciated her, and we’d like to thank you all for the support and kind words you have been sending to us and her. The band, our music, and all of you who have enjoyed it over the years, meant so much to her.
Thank you all, Tracyanne, Gavin, Kenny and Lee x