BBC podcaster Dame Deborah James, 40, passed away after a five-year battle with cancer. In an Instagram post by her family, they said they were deeply saddened by the death of an amazing wife, daughter, sister, and mother. She passed away surrounded by her family. Her family described her as "amazing" and an "inspiration."
In her final weeks, James has raised £6.75 million for research and was made a dame by Prince William of Cambridge for her "tireless" work in improving awareness about bowel cancer.
James was a former deputy teacher who eventually became a cancer campaigner. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2016, and the doctors told her that she might not live beyond five years.
She is survived by her kids, Hugo, 14; Eloise, 12, and her husband, Sebastien.
On May 9, the presenter of the BBC podcast "You, Me And The Big C" shared a tear-jerking farewell message for her Instagram followers. She shared that she is moving into hospice-at-home care at her parents' house, surrounded by family, because her parents are not "playing ball," Daily Mail says.
An inspiring, tireless dame
In May, she was given damehood by Prince William at her parents' home. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge donated to the research fund. He praised her "tireless efforts" and gave hope to those with the disease.
Dame James said that the visit was "surreal," admitting that their cleaning and preparation went off the scale, but it was irrelevant because Prince William was so kind.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said that she was an inspiration to many even in her most challenging moments.
According to The Independent, she encouraged everyone in her last podcast to take risks, love deeply and find a life worth enjoying. She also advised not to have regrets and always have a "rebellious hope." Finally, she urged to "check your poo as it could just save your life."
Bowelbabe Fund for Bowel Cancer
James had raised millions for cancer research. She was known for her no-nonsense approach to talking about cancer as she shared her treatment experiences and daily life since she was diagnosed in 2016.
According to her family, Dame James shared her cancer experience to "raise awareness, break down barriers, and challenge taboos." She also wanted to change the narratives around cancer. Her family said that her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring even in her most challenging moments.
After she learned about her cancer, she started a cancer blog. She then wrote for the Sun and eventually became a BBC broadcaster.
She launched the Bowelbabe fund to raise money for personalized medicine research for cancer patients. She raised £1m in less than 24 hours, beyond her initial goal of £250,000. To date, she has raised almost £7m, BBC reports.
The money raised through her Bowelbabe fund is for Bowel Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, and the Royal Marsden Hospital - a specialist cancer treatment facility.
Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said James had incredible power to connect with people, leaving a tremendous legacy behind her.
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