Deborah James (40) fought colon cancer for five years. Now the mother of two is getting weaker and weaker. She wants to spend her last days in her parents’ house near London. All surgeries and chemotherapy have been discontinued.
Even now, the BBC presenter is fighting to ensure that other people don’t meet the same fate. Earlier this year she recorded an episode for the medical reality show Embarrassing Bodies. In the series, people draw attention to health problems that they find embarrassing or even ashamed of. In the program, doctors then look for the best treatment method.
The show with Deborah James hasn’t aired yet. In it, she talks about her own illness and wants to raise awareness of it. That’s why she really wants her TV performance to be shown. “Maybe I won’t experience the broadcast of the episode anymore. But I hope the message ‘Check your poo’ will live on long after I’m gone.” Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer can save lives. That’s why she gave her blessing to show the episode after her death. She told the British newspaper The Sun: “If she saves just one life, it’s worth it.”
She recently posted a post about a clothing collaboration on Instagram. She wants to present a shirt that is particularly close to her heart. It bears the lettering “Rebellious Hope” (German: “Rebellious Hope”). She can’t wait to unveil the rest of the collection. If she is no longer alive by that time, this task will be taken over by her family – her husband Sebastien Bowen and their two children Hugo (14) and Eloise (12). “I am also delighted that all profits from this collection will benefit the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK,” she wrote.
Deborah James was honored for her commitment
Deborah James previously raised five million pounds (about 6.1 million Swiss francs) in donations for cancer research in just a few days. For this reason, Queen Elizabeth II’s mother of two (96) was made a lady. Prince William (39) came to visit about a week ago to honor her commitment.
Bowelbabe Fund is a fundraiser for women affected by colon cancer that James initiated. “It should enable us to raise funds for further life-saving research – and give more Deborahs more time,” she writes. (paf)