DAME Deborah James has now raised a staggering £6.5million for her Bowelbabe fundraiser.
The hero campaigner initially hoped to raise £250,000 for Cancer Research UK after revealing she was receiving end-of-life-care.
But in three whirlwind weeks, the 40-year-old has smashed her target 26 times over, with more than 300,000 supporters chipping in.
Deborah announced her body “simply isn’t playing ball” earlier this month, revealing she would no longer be having active bowel cancer treatment.
Instead, she is receiving hospice care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey.
Since then, the Sun Columnist has achieved more than most do in a lifetime, being awarded a Damehood by Prince William and receiving thousands of donations for being “an inspiration to the world“.
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She has also launched a fashion collection, released a book and had a rose named after her at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The fearless campaigner has even helped launch a Deborah James inspired loo roll to help warn of five signs of bowel cancer.
Yesterday, she said: “My story isn’t one of sadness, it’s a celebration of getting to live for five years with incurable cancer, I’ve been so lucky.
“I owe my five years to the team at The Royal Marsden who told me they would throw the kitchen sink at my cancer, and never gave up.
“In my final days, I am so grateful to have the peace of knowing that we tried everything, they left no stone unturned.
“They gave me precious more time with my husband, my children and my family, and for that we will all be forever grateful.”
Debs captured hearts and inspired millions with honest account of the disease, her Sun columns and BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C.
She was made a Dame by the Duke of Cambridge in person, two weeks ago after raising millions for cancer research.
The podcaster described Wills’ visit and receiving the honour, as well as the volume of donations, as “surreal, mind-blowing, and humbling“.
And despite getting “weaker and more tired” as the days go by, Debs has vowed to go out “with a massive smile, no regrets and a big glass of Champagne”.
TO DONATE to BowelBabe Fund visit www.bowelbabe.org
She wrote on Instagram at the time: “I believe I may have had the most surreal, mind-blowing, humbling five days of my life.
“I cannot thank you for your generosity at launching the Bowelbabe Fund, and to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for going above and beyond to make a very special memory happen.
“Can’t quite believe I’m actually a Dame! My family are being amazing and as emotional as it all is, we are finding so much to smile about in the sadness.
“I may be getting weaker and more tired each [day], having run off pure adrenaline, but my word, I always said I wanted to slide in sideways when my time is up, with a massive smile, no regrets and a big glass of champagne! Still my intention!!!”
Mum-of-two Deborah revealed she would no longer receive active treatment for her cancer on May 9.
‘TENACIOUS DESIRE TO GIVE BACK’
In a heartbreaking post, she said medics had tried everything but her body “simply isn’t playing ball”, adding: “I know we have left no stone unturned.
“But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore.
“My body is so emaciated that I have no choice but to surrender to the inevitable.”
Despite her condition, Deborah was determined to give her campaigning one final push and launched the Bowelbabe Fund to raise £250,000 for Cancer Research UK, The Royal Marsden and Bowel Cancer UK.
Today, she has raised £6,584,995 on JustGiving – 2,633 per cent of her target.
Kate and Wills have publicly supported Deborah and donated to her fund.
They tweeted: “Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life and tenacious desire to give back to society.
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@bowelbabe is one of those special people.
“Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer.”
