Running helped Dame Debs cope with cancer – join us to honour her legacy, says mum Heather

TO Dame Deborah James, running was her “release”.

In her Sun column, Things Cancer Made Me Say, the late campaigner and mum-of-two wrote in February 2020: “There’s no better feeling than running by the river, with nothing else but my feet and breathing to focus on.”

You might not feel the same way when you are hot and sweaty on a jog, but Sun Health is challenging you to grit your teeth and lace up those trainers anyway — for Debs and Cancer Research UK.

Dame Debs, who died of Stage 4 bowel cancer in June last year aged 40, would run to and from the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea to get test results.

She revealed it was one of her “coping mechanisms” and that running from her home in South West London proved she was alive and kicking.

Debs said: “If I can run 8km from my home in Barnes, I can’t be dying, right?

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes me, if I can get there in one piece I feel alive.

“It helps clear my head before I have to face my results.

“I joke with my oncologist that it’s either running or drinking all the wine beforehand.

“So we agree, for once, I’m making the sensible decision.”

You can sign up to a Race for Life event this summer, in honour of Debs and in aid her charity the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

When the fund was launched in May last year, she smashed her £250,000 target in days, raising £6.8million before her death.

Since then, the total has risen to £11.3million.

Debs’ daughter Eloise, 13, called the figure “mind-blowing”.

The first five projects to benefit from £4million of the money have been unveiled, in partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Bowel Cancer UK.

They include initiatives using AI in early cancer detection, analysing bacteria in the gut thought to increase bowel cancer risk, and a roadshow to increase awareness about the disease.

The chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: “The incredible £11.3million raised so far is a true testament to how many lives Deborah touched with her honesty and humour.”

Debs ran with her children, entered into marathons and was a dedicated Race for Life runner.

One of those taking part this year is mum of one Denise Coates, 61.

The business development executive from Dunstable, Beds, has taken part in the charity event for the past 12 years, including at St Albans in 2015.

She says: “I was running for a family member but didn’t know at the time I had breast cancer myself.”

Denise, mum to Jamie, 27, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer on Christmas Eve in 2015.

She had three operations, radiotherapy and remains on hormone blocker anastrozole.

Denise says of her meds: “It’s an example of everything that Deborah worked hard for in terms of research.

“It is preventing my cancer from coming back.”

In 2019, Denise met Debs at the Vitality 10k London run.

She says: “I feel so privileged that I met her.

“She inspired me so much.

“To campaign and think about your life the way she did, when you know you’re dying . . .  what an amazing woman.

“Deborah encouraged people to go and get checked out, because early detection can save your life. It did mine.

“We are advancing with cancer survival, and hopefully she’s opened that dialogue for us to talk about it more.”

Denise, who campaigns in schools to raise awareness about breast cancer, says: “When I run I think of Deborah.

“She did all that running and I think it must have helped her be here a bit longer.”

Denise says Race for Life “is the most incredible day” and adds: “It’s brilliant, and teaches us about giving back.

“You don’t have to run — you can walk, skip, dance. It’s not just about running, so have a go.”

Dame Debs’ mum Heather, and dad Alistair, will join friends and family on June 7 in Battersea Park to Race for Debs.

Heather told Sun Health: “Running was one of Deborah’s coping mechanisms. It helped her face her mental and physical challenges.

“She was so passionate about Race For Life and this year is a great opportunity to raise money for her Bowelbabe Fund, to help continue her incredible legacy.

“Sign up to an event near you, to help raise awareness and vital funds.”

Michelle adds: “Joining us at a Race for Life event will be a wonderful way to celebrate Deborah and continue her legacy to bring hope for a better future for people affected by cancer.”

Whatever the circumstances, pounding the pavement gave Debs time, space and relief — and it could bring you that too.

Debs once said: “Come unexpected good news and the dreaded bad, I run.

“For those precious minutes in cancer land, I feel free.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Sign up and race

YOU can enter Race for Life for Debs’ Bowelbabe Fund and take part in 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy races. See raceforlife.org.

More than 450 Race for Life events are being held up and down the country.

Find one near you at: raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/race-for-life-for-bowelbabe.

Then it’s time to start fundraising.

Donate

NOT a runner or a jogger? Not a problem.

You can still get involved in fundraising by donating any amount directly to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Whether you have held a bake sale, sponsored challenge or just want to give what you can, visit bowelbabe.org.

All the money will support Cancer Research UK to fund clinical trials, research and awareness campaigns.

Know the signs

WHETHER she was dressing up as a poo or dancing during chemo, Debs wanted everyone to check their poo and know the signs of bowel cancer.

The five red-flag symptoms include:

• Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo.
• A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently, for example.
• Pain or a lump in your tummy.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Losing weight without trying.

If you experience any of these symptoms, speak to your GP and get yourself checked out.