INSPIRATIONAL Sun columnist Dame Deborah James has died from bowel cancer aged just 40.
The mum-of-two, known as BowelBabe to her legions of Instagram fans, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer just days before Christmas in 2016, at the age of 35.
Her legions of fans around the country learned on her death in an Instagram post from her account tonight.
It reads: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
“Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.
“Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.
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“We thank you for giving us time in private as a family, and we look forward to continuing Deborah’s legacy long into the future through the @bowelbabefund
“Thank you for playing your part in her journey, you are all incredible.”
True to form, Dame Debs had the last word.
She penned a cheeky final missive to supporters before her death. Her words were shared in the Instagram post tonight.
“Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope,” she said.
“And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.”
Despite being told she had an eight per cent chance of living five years, Deborah defied the odds stacked against her.
After celebrating her 40th birthday last October – a birthday she never dreamed she would live to see – the brave campaigner celebrated her five-year milestone a few months later.
Deborah shared every step of her journey with Sun readers in her column Things Cancer Made Me Say and her army of loyal social media followers.
She went on to present the award-winning BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C with fellow cancer patients Rachael Bland, who passed away in September 2018, Lauren Mahon and Rachael’s husband Steve.
In the five-and-a-half years since her diagnosis Deborah changed the conversation around bowel cancer, raising vital awareness and breaking down taboos.
She tirelessly banged the F*** Cancer drum – writing a book of the same name – and vowed to do everything she could to help others avoid her same fate.
Her inspiration was the fierce love she had for her children, Eloise, 12, and Hugo, 14.
She dreamt of a future where they wouldn’t have to fear cancer, where a cure would be readily available and the disease would no longer be a killer.
- Donate here to keep raising money for Deborah’s BowelBabe fund
She poignantly wrote in a column: “I want them to remember me as being passionate about life and living – and passionate about them.
“I want them to recall their quirky, crazy mum who danced with them in the rain, drank wine and laughed when she wanted to cry.
“I want them to be proud of me, for making an impact and raising awareness of cancer and its signs and symptoms.
“I want them to live in a world where they don’t need to worry about cancer – and I want them to know I did everything I could to make that happen for them.
“And I want them to grow up to have no regrets, put their health first, live in the moment and to make the most of every opportunity.
“In the end, you only regret the chances you didn’t take. Don’t put stuff off, don’t regret not seeing your loved ones.
“Get up and live in the moment, and make those memories now.”
And on her husband of 13 years, Deborah said in a column to mark her 40th: “Seb is my rock – he’s the person who holds me at 3am when I’m consumed by fear and crying, who holds it all together.
“He’s a brilliant dad and I know that if the day comes when I’m not around, all my wishes for the kids will be upheld.”
In her quest to break the ‘poo taboo’ she dressed up as the poo emoji to normalise conversations around changing bowel habits – a key symptom she experienced in the six months prior to her diagnosis.
‘LIVE IN THE MOMENT’
She was a fierce campaigner, helping to launch Trending In The News’s No Time 2 Lose campaign, which ultimately saw the Government lower the screening age for bowel cancer from 60 to 50 in England.
Just last month, Deborah became the face of the latest No Butts campaign, on Lorraine’s ITV show – broadcasting from her hospital bed at The Royal Marsden.
Deborah was treated at The Marsden throughout her cancer journey – regularly hailing her medical team “heroic” for the care they gave her.
She regularly danced her way through chemo sessions, dressed head to toe in sequins or fancy dress – determined to live her life to the full in spite of her incurable cancer.
An avid runner, Deborah would often turn up to get her latest scan results in her running gear, having jogged to the hospital in Sutton from her home in South London, to prove to herself she could – and to stick two fingers up to her cancer.
She ran countless charity races, including the London Marathon and with the help of her Team BowelBabe, she raised more than £500,000 for cancer charities, including The Royal Marsden Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Bowel Cancer UK, of which she was patron.
Last summer, Deborah’s liver started to fail after the cocktail of drugs that had been keeping her alive started to stop working.
Repeated operations to try and stent her bile duct left her facing bouts of sepsis – once battling a terrifying 40C fever.
In January, she was left fighting for her life after a ‘traumatic’ emergency which saw her husband of 13 years, Seb rush her to A&E where medics saved her life after discovering a major internal bleed.
The former deputy head teacher wrote a raw and honest column, revealing it’s the first time she questioned if she would rather die than face her cancer anymore.
Yet, time and time again, Deborah, with the help of her devoted family and friends, picked herself up, and faced yet more operations to try and fix her liver.
Even in her final days, the determined 40-year-old refused to stop.
With the help of her family, Deborah set up the BowelBabe Foundation, to ensure her efforts to raise awareness and vital funds will continue long after she is gone.
On Thursday it was confirmed the inspirational podcaster would be made a Dame, after the Sun led calls to give her the honour – with Prince William coming to her family home on Friday.
Downing Street said: “The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of damehood be conferred upon Deborah James.”
Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and No 10 pulled out all the stops to honour the mum-of-two who has written about her treatment and life since being diagnosed.
Hero cancer campaigner Deborah James told of her shock at being made a Dame saying: “OMFG, this is crazy.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m blown away and feel incredibly honoured.
“I don’t feel like I deserve this. I can’t tell you what this means to my family, it’s so much to take in.”
In a personal tweet, Prince William and Kate Middleton praised Deborah after donating to her fundraising page, writing: “Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society.
“@bowelbabe is one of those special people. Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring.
“We are so sad to hear her recent update but pleased to support the @bowelbabef, which will benefit the @royalmarsdenNHS among others.
“Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer. W & C.”
