Dame Deborah James’ cancer fighting fund rockets towards £7million as donations flood in | The Sun
DAME Deborah James' BowelBabe fund is rocketing towards the £7million mark as donations continue to flood in.
The Sun writer launched the fund after being moved to palliative care last month.
Debs had been 'completely blown away' by the support from well-wishers, who rallied to raise funds.
So far, a whopping £6.9 million has come in, which will go towards giving 'more Deborah's more time', by funding research project at charities close to Debs.
It will also support campaigns and personalised medicine for patients.
The fund will be split between Bowel Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK and the Royal Marsden.
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Last night her heartbroken family announced her death and since then the fund has been steadily increasing.
In an update to the BowelBabe fund, they said: "Deborah was an inspiration to us all and her incredible work to raise awareness of cancer touched so many lives.
"We will continue her legacy and support the causes Deborah was passionate about so that many more people benefit from new treatments and have more precious time with their loved ones.
"Thank you for your incredible generosity and for playing a part in Deborah's legacy."
Donate here to keep raising money for Deborah's BowelBabe fund
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On top of the £6.9million already raised, there is an additional £1.2m that has also come in through gift aid.
Whilst living out her days at her parents home in Woking, Surrey, Debs also launched a fashion collection with In The Style.
Part of this collection is a t-shirt, emblazoned with her motto 'Rebellious Hope'.
It's through sales of the garment alone that she has managed to raise over £1million.
But perhaps one of the biggest impacts Debs has had, is getting supermarkets up and down the country to display information about cancer on loo roll packaging.
The chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, Genevieve Edwards, said Deborah leaves a 'tremendous legacy'.
The signs of bowel cancer you need to know – remember BOWEL
- B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it’s important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It’s important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It’s especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you’re not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don’t be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you’ve lost weight and don’t really know why, it’s worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you’re likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It’s most likely you’ll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage
"She never stopped raising awareness. Bowel cancer is something people find difficult to talk about often and don't really … they find it a little bit embarrassing.
"She's stripped all of that away and shone a powerful light on it."
Despite being told she had an eight per cent chance of living five years, Deborah defied the odds stacked against her.
After celebrating her 40th birthday last October – a birthday she never dreamed she would live to see – the brave campaigner marked the five-year milestone a few months later.
Deborah shared every step of her journey with Sun readers in her column Things Cancer Made Me Say and her army of loyal social media followers.
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She went on to present the award-winning BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C with fellow cancer patients Rachael Bland, who passed away in September 2018, Lauren Mahon and Rachael’s husband Steve.
In the five-and-a-half years since her diagnosis Deborah changed the conversation around bowel cancer, raising vital awareness and breaking down taboos.
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