Deborah James feels "utterly loved" after more than £2.5 million was donated to her fundraiser in two days, after the cancer-stricken star said "goodbye" to her fans.
Deborah James feels 'utterly loved' after more than two million was donated to her fundraiser in two days
The BBC podcaster and blogger - who was instrumental in helping to launch the No Butts campaign, which raises awareness of bowel cancer, on 'Lorraine' - set up the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK this week after revealing she is receiving end-of-life care for her bowel cancer.
At the time of writing, the fund has received more than £2.5 million in donations, after she had set an initial target of £250,000.
Deborah has spoken openly about bowel cancer to raise awareness since she was diagnosed in 2016, particularly on BBC podcast 'You, Me and the Big C'.
In her final episode this week, she said about the fundraiser: "I just cannot thank people enough for their generosity because it just it just means so much to me.
"It makes me feel utterly loved. But it makes me feel like we're all kind of - in at the end together and we all want to make a difference and say you know what? Screw you cancer. We can do better. We can do better for people and we just need to show it who is boss."
Deborah also said goodbye to her listeners and told how she is living out her final days at her parents' house in Woking for the sake of her children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12.
She said: "It's kind of where I've always wanted to die, weirdly. I've always had that in mind.
"I think I always knew I didn't want to be at my London home. It doesn't feel right to me."
Earlier this week, Deborah took to Instagram to say "goodbye" to fans and reveal her active care has now stopped because her body is not "playing ball".
She wrote: "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.
In over 5 years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn’t see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school - I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye.
I think it’s been the rebellious hope in me.
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.
Bowelbabe Fund
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
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 (link in Bio).
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!
Right now for me it’s all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise. My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I’ll cry!!) at every possible moment!
You are all incredible, thank you for
playing your part in my journey.
No regrets.
Enjoy life x
Deborah (sic)"