Cancer campaigner Deborah James made a Dame
She's raised over £4million since announcing she's receiving hospice-at-home care
Last updated 29th May 2022
Cancer campaigner Deborah James has been honoured with a damehood after announcing this week that she has moved to hospice-at-home care to treat her terminal bowel cancer.
The 40-year-old podcast host has raised over £4million after setting up a fund to raise money for clinical trials, research, and raising awareness of bowel cancer.
The former headteacher was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and as well as hosting the podcast she has kept her 500,000 Instagram followers up to date with her treatments.
On Thursday night, Number 10 confirmed that James is to be made a dame, saying: “The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of damehood be conferred upon Deborah James.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “If ever an honour was richly deserved, this is it.
“Deborah has been an inspiration and her honesty, warmth and courage has been a source of strength to so many people.
“Through her tireless campaigning and by so openly sharing her experience she has not only helped in our fight against this terrible disease, she has ensured countless others with the Big C have not felt alone.
“I hope this recognition from Her Majesty – backed I’m sure by the whole country – will provide some comfort to Deborah and her family at this difficult time. My thoughts are with them and Deborah should know she has the country’s love and gratitude.”
"Blown away and incredibly honoured"
Speaking about the damehood, James said: “I don’t know what to say. I’m blown away and feel incredibly honoured.
“I don’t feel like I deserve this. I can’t tell you what this means to my family, it’s so much to take in.”
She told a newspaper her fund has “surpassed all expectations”, adding: “I’d love to get it to £5 million by the end of the weekend.”
James, the much-loved presenter of the podcast You, Me And The Big C, announced on Monday she had set up the Bowelbabe Fund.
In an Instagram post she said she did not know how long she had left, and that while the last six months had been “heartbreaking” to go through, she had been surrounded by “so much love” and had “no regrets”.
Speaking about her decision to set up the Bowelbabe fund, James wrote: “I always knew there was one thing I always wanted to do before I died.
Prince William and Kate donate
On Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said their thoughts are with James and her family.
The couple donated to the fund, and in a personal tweet written by William and Kate, they said: “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.
“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 James
Pictured here in 2020, Deborah James was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35. After the diagnosis she began detailing her cancer and treatment in a newspaper column.
Deborah James became the much-loved presenter of the podcast You, Me And The Big C in 2018 alongside fellow cancer patients Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland.
She's become a campaigner, raising awareness of cancer and raising money too. In 2019 she ran the Vitiality London 10000 in her underwear to promote body confidence.
In May 2022 she announced she was receiving hospice at home care saying "We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball."
The cancer campaigner was honoured with a damehood in May 2022 after announcing she had moved to hospice-at-home care.
The 40-year-old podcast host had at that point raised over £4million after setting up a fund to raise money for clinical trials, research, and raising awareness of bowel cancer.
Dame Deborah James dies
On the 28th June 2022 it was announced that Dame Deborah had sadly passed away at the age of 40, after losing her battle with terminal bowel cancer. Her campaigning work raised over £7 million for her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.