Deborah James 'Blown Away' By Fans' Generosity Following Health Update
Gabriella Ferlita
Featured Image Credit: @bowelbabe/Instagram
Deborah James has been ‘blown away’ by her fans' generosity following her devastating health update.
The author, podcaster and cancer campaigner posted a final goodbye to her online friends and followers last night, announcing she has been moved to at-home palliative care for bowel cancer.
Deborah was previously diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and was keeping her fans updated through her Instagram account ‘Bowel Babe’.
But after a gruelling few months, Deborah revealed: "My body just can't continue anymore."
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Now, she has taken to her Instagram story to share the ‘generosity’ of her followers, who have helped to raise over £1 million, at the time of writing, for her fund, which will be donated to Cancer Research UK.
She wrote: “I’m utterly blown away by your generosity over the last 12 hours! To think you have raised over £600K for vital research is just filling me with so much love.
“You are the kindest people. Thank you,” she added.
She continued on to her next story: “I never in my wildest dreams thought we’d be waking up to this total 12 hours later.
“I’m actually crying! Because I know we can continue to help fund some really vital projects @cr_uk @royalmarsden and @bowelcanceruk with this money.”
Previously, Deborah shared her final farewell to her social media followers, writing: "The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball. My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.
"Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams. I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore."
She went on to write that despite having previously written posts about experiencing her final Christmas, not celebrating her 40th birthday and never watching her children go to secondary school, she 'never envisaged writing one where I would actually say goodbye.'
She continued: "But I don’t think anyone can say the last 6 months has exactly been kind! It’s all heartbreaking to be going through but I’m surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will."
Encouraging her followers to consider donating to the Bowel Babe fund, she wrote: "All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason. Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah’s more time!"
You can donate to the Bowel Babe fund here.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week