Lady Deborah James, the director, who turned into a podcaster who raised millions of pounds for charity with her campaign to raise awareness about bowel cancer, has died, her family said.
James, who was 40, retired from his career as deputy director and began blogging about his diagnosis as Bowel Babe in 2017. She went on to become a Sun columnist and published a book, Fuck You Cancer: How to Face the Big C, live your life and still be yourself.
She was best known for sharing her six-year battle with terminal bowel cancer in the popular BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which she co-featured in 2018. Together with Lauren Mahan and the news reader of BBC Radio 5 live Rachel Bland, James created a show that won praise for its intimate, candid and lively discussion about cancer.
When Bland died of breast cancer six months after the show began, James formed a performing duet with Mahon, and they talked to celebrity guests, dealt with practical issues such as hair loss, and tried to raise awareness in a characteristically good mood. During Bowel Cancer Awareness Week 2018, James tried to destigmatize the condition by wearing a “pop suit” – a luxury outfit with emoji the size of a six-year-old.
James spoke candidly in detail about the treatment, progress and diagnosis of his great followers on Instagram, who rose from 300,000 to 500,000 towards the end of her life.
In a May 10 post, she said she never expected to celebrate her 40th birthday or see her children go to high school.
She described how her health had deteriorated over the past six months and said she was no longer receiving active care. She had moved to a home hospice, where she slept most days and struggled to walk. She said she had left “no stone unturned” in her search for a cure, but even a “magic new breakthrough” would not matter.
She wrote: “The message I never wanted to write. We tried everything, but my body just doesn’t play with a ball. My amazing family [are] all around me and the focus is on making sure it doesn’t hurt and spending time with them. ”
After announcing that she was receiving care at the end of her life, she launched a fundraising campaign for cancer research, the Bowelbabe Fund, which has so far raised more than £ 6 million on its JustGiving page.
A few days after her launch, she became a woman, with Prince William visiting her parents’ home to reward her for her awareness-raising campaigns. A tweet from the account of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge says: “From time to time, someone conquers the heart of the nation with his zeal for life and a persistent desire to give back to society. @bowelbabe is one of those special people. ”
James’ second and final book, How to Live When You Can Be Dead, topped the Amazon UK bestseller list with only pre-orders. The self-help volume with memoirs rose to the top of the charts within a day after James announced on Instagram that it was possible to keep a copy. She also released a clothing line whose proceeds go to her Bowel Babe fund, and said her last goodbye to a tearful last appearance in You, Me and the Big C.
As she and her producer wiped away tears during the episode titled “Deborah James’ Last Dance,” she thanked the audience and urged them to watch for signs of bowel cancer in their own way.
“Thank you guys for everything, that you were our partners in crime in the club, in which you never wanted to be a part. I guess it’s from me. It’s very sad to say, but I’m glad I’ve gotten to the point where I can say it and we’ll see each other again somewhere, somehow, dancing. Oh, and also: check your stools. I can’t leave in other words. ”
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