Camera Obscura Keyboardist Carey Lander Dies Of Cancer At 33
Carey Lander, the keyboardist of Scottish indie pop band Camera Obscura, has died of cancer. Camera Obscura’s official Facebook page broke the news to fans in a message on October 11.
“It is with the greatest sadness, that we must share the news that Carey passed away peacefully this morning after her illness with cancer. 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.”
It is with the greatest sadness that we share the news that Carey passed away today after her illness with cancer https://t.co/GUeKe7wchx
— camera_obscura_ (@camera_obscura_) October 11, 2015
According to Billboard, Carey Lander was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma that was found in her leg back in 2011. Despite her illness, she still continued to play and write songs for Camera Obscura. However, in August this year, the band was forced to cancel some tour dates as Carey Lander’s condition worsened. Tour dates scheduled in California and Mexico were shelved.
As a result of her bone cancer, Carey Lander came up with a fundraising campaign on JustGiving to encourage people to donate in order for experts to find cure for the illness. The recipient of the funds is Sarcoma U.K., and they said that Carey’s efforts is the largest one to date. On the JustGiving page, Carey wrote that it’s “probably too late” to help her, but her goal is to raise funds in order to find a cure in the future, especially since the cancer typically targets children. In the post, Carey also said that she is lucky to still get the chance to play with Camera Obscura despite her illness. As of writing, the campaign has gone over the targeted amount of £50,000 and is now at £59,123.51.
Deeply saddened to hear the news that Carey Lander passed away today. Our thoughts are with her family & friends during this difficult time.
— Sarcoma UK (@Sarcoma_UK) October 11, 2015
“I’ve been quite fortunate in that I have been able to have periods of living something of a normal life in the last 4 years and to continue playing with Camera Obscura. Being able to record the album we had started working on before my diagnosis, and to travel and play shows again has been amazing, and I’m very grateful to everyone that’s bought out records, come to our concerts or supported us in some way. Sadly, my illness is here tripping me up again and I feel like it’s time to tell people a bit more about it and see if I can raise a bit of cash to help others in a similar situation. I’m hugely grateful for any donations you feel like making. Thank you.”
The four remaining members of Camera Obscura — Traceyanne Campbell, Kenny McKeeve, Lee Thompson, and Gavin Dunbar — thanked fans for their support throughout Carey Lander’s battle with cancer, and they encourage them to donate to Carey’s cause in her memory.
“She was left in no doubt how much you all loved and appreciated her, and we’d like to thank you for all the support and kind words you have been sending to us and to her. The bank, our music, and all of you who have enjoyed it over the years, meant so much to her.”
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive form of cancer that mostly hits children and young adults. Carey Lander received some treatments for her cancer, but unfortunately, she announced that the cancer came back just a few months ago. Carey died at the age of 33.
[Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images]
