Deborah James: Prince William & Kate praise ‘tireless’ Sun columnist and donate money to her fundraising page
PRINCE William and Kate have said their thoughts are with Deborah James and her family after donating an undisclosed amount to her fundraiser. Deborah, 40, known as Bowel Babe online after campaigning for bowel cancer awareness, has raised more than £3 million after setting up a Just Giving page. The former headteacher was diagnosed with […]
PRINCE William and Kate have said their thoughts are with Deborah James and her family after donating an undisclosed amount to her fundraiser.
Deborah, 40, known as Bowel Babe online after campaigning for bowel cancer awareness, has raised more than £3 million after setting up a Just Giving page.
The former headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and has kept her half a million strong Instagram followers up to date during her treatment.
In a personal tweet, William and Kate praised Deborah: “Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society.
“@bowelbabe is one of those special people. Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring.
“We are so sad to hear her recent update but pleased to support the @bowelbabef, which will benefit the @royalmarsdenNHS among others.
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“Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer. W & C.”
Deborah has been treated at the Royal Marsden hospital where William is a patron and it is one of the hospitals which will benefit from her fundraiser.
Even as the mum stares death in the face, her determination to raise awareness of her rare cancer has not faltered.
The fundraiser broke the scale in just 24 hours, easily smashing its original target of £250,000 shortly after going live.
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And it has now reached the whopping £3 million mark in what is a superb achievement.
Deborah told how she had made the decision to die at her parent’s property for the sake of her children, so they can be spared from constant reminders in their family home.
After reminiscing on her rollercoaster five years following her diagnosis, Deborah said she is now facing the “unknown”.
But her unfaltering fans are sure to have made her smile with their extraordinary donations.
The forty-year-old, who has advanced and incurable bowel cancer, earlier told The Sun: “I’m just blown away, I never thought we’d get to that number in 12 hours.
“It makes me emotional to see the outpouring of love x.”
The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK is Deborah’s final endeavour of many to support research into bowel cancer, and its partners.
“All money raised will be allocated, with the support of CRUK [Cancer Research UK] to funding causes & projects that I really care about,” the website says.
In a heartbreaking Instagram post on Monday, the mum-of-two said: “I always knew there was one thing I always wanted to do before I died.
“I have always over the years raised as much awareness and money for the charities that are closest to me. @cr_uk @royalmarsden @bowelcanceruk
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“As a result, the @bowelbabefund is being established and I’d love nothing more than for you to help it flourish.
“Please visit bowelbabe.org for all the info and to donate.
