BBC Dame journalist and personality Deborah James has died at the age of 40.
James, known to fans as “Bowelbabe,” succumbed to stage 4 bowel cancer after a five-year public battle that inspired many and helped raise awareness and raise millions of dollars for care. of cancer in the UK.
She died Tuesday as she was surrounded by family, who announced the sad news on her Instagram, in a post that read: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; wife, daughter, sister and mother Deborah died peacefully today, surrounded by her family.
“Deborah, whom many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charity campaigns, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness about the cancer that is going on. touch so many lives. ”
Prince William visited Deborah James and made her a woman.Instagram / @bowelbabe
The publication went on to observe how James broke down barriers, “defied taboos and changed the conversation about cancer.”
The mother of two is survived by her husband Sebastien and their children, Eloise, 12, and Hugo, 14.
In early May, James wrote a heartbreaking farewell column for the Sun, announcing that he had run out of treatment options and would enter the hospice at home.
James narrated his battle against cancer with humor and grace.
“It’s not about the lack of access to the latest luxury drugs; it’s not about feeling badly done for not being able to have a rescue operation, but simply that I have extremely difficult cancer in an extremely difficult area. of my body that even current technology and cutting-edge techniques cannot heal … My body is so emaciated that I have no choice but to surrender to the inevitable, ”he wrote.
But even after he left, he continued to make international news.
Columnist and radio presenter James recounted his battle with bowel cancer.
James launched his charity, the Bowelbabe Fund to fund clinical trials and cancer care. In 24 hours, it raised more than $ 1 million and by the end of May had more than $ 7 million in its coffers, a testament to its impact on the public and the cancer community.
Then, a week later, Prince William visited her at home, turning her into a lady.
“Prince William has come to our house today !! I am absolutely honored that he has joined us for afternoon tea and champagne, where he not only spent a generous amount of time talking to my whole family, but she also honored me with my Damehood, ”she wrote on her Instagram along with a photo of her and the Duke of Cambridge.
James was diagnosed with his rare form of cancer, the B-RAF mutation, just days before Christmas 2016, at the age of 34.
James, her husband Sebastien and sons Eloise and Hugo pose with Prince William. Instagram / @bowelbabe
After receiving the devastating news, she became a cancer warrior and made a brave chronicle of her heartbreaking journey of health with humor and grace in her usual column in the Sun.
His announcement of death included his last words of wisdom: feelings he had frequently shared during his five years of battling bowel cancer.
“And a few final things about Deborah … ‘She finds a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; do not repent; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poop: it could save your life. “