Dame Deborah James, the former headmaster turned podcaster who earned millions of pounds for charity by raising awareness of bowel cancer, has died.
Deborah ran a colon cancer awareness campaign, asking people to check for signs before, during, and after her treatment.
“Check your feces,” she quipped as she signed off her farewell podcast in May. Apart from “check your poo,” I’m at a loss for words.
“I still have pictures of myself dancing in poo clothes all over the place.” So perhaps I should end on that note. Examine your feces.”
What Happened To Bowel Babe?
Bowel Babe aka Dame Deborah James died at the age of 40 from bowel cancer.
In 2016, Dame Deborah, a mother of two, was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Her relatives called her an “inspiration” and “wonderful.”
Her death was confirmed on her Instagram page. “We are terribly heartbroken to announce the passing of Dame Deborah James; the most incredible wife, daughter, sister, and mother,” the statement stated.
She died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.
Deborah’s family intends to carry on her legacy through the Bowelbabe Fund, according to the death notice.
They also share a few words from, Deborah, ‘create a life worth living, take chances. love profoundly, have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious optimism.” Finally, examine your poop, it may save your life,” the message read.
Dame Deborah’s family stated that she used her cancer experience to “raise awareness, tear down barriers, question taboos, and shift the dialogue surrounding cancer.”
“Her desire to raise money and awareness was motivating even in her most difficult moments.”
Deborah was lauded for her no-nonsense approach to discussing illness, and she has discussed her treatment and daily life experiences since her diagnosis in 2016.
She established a blog as a deputy headmaster before writing for the Sun and becoming a BBC broadcaster.
Deborah is survived by her husband Sebastien Bowen, son Hugo, 14, and daughter Eloise, 13.
Dame Deborah James Death From Bowel Cancer
Dame Deborah James aka Bowel baby died after a long battle with Bowel Cancer. She had been getting end-of-life treatment at home for bowel cancer and had raised millions of dollars for cancer research.
But on May 9 she revealed that she was no longer getting active treatment and had no idea how long she had left.
“My body just can’t go on,” she claimed in an Instagram post on her @bowelbabe account. “My active care has ended, and I am now in hospice at-home care, surrounded by my beautiful family.”
“The focus is on keeping me comfortable and spending time with them. Nobody knows how much time I have left, but I can’t walk, I sleep most of the time, and most of the things I took for granted are now pipe dreams,” she wrote.
James was cancer-free after a protracted struggle with the potentially fatal stage IV illness.
“It’s a little crazy and I haven’t honestly digested it for a couple of reasons, but I have no indication of cancer in my body right now!! “Which seems crazy considering I had 15 tumors at one point!” the U.K. native wrote in 2020 after learning she was in remission.
Unfortunately, cancer reappeared in January 2022, but the BBC podcast host utilized her social media outlets to keep upbeat.
“I believe it’s easy to forget that the biggest struggle and joy is weaving real-life life around Cancer. No matter how difficult it may be,” James posted on Instagram at the time.
“Sometimes I worry that once tarnished with the Cancer brush, there is an assumption that one should just talk about cancer for the rest of one’s life.”
“I appreciate it more than anything when I witness stories of cancer patients celebrating life!” she added. And she died enjoying and appreciating her life.
Dame Deborah James Aka Bowel Baby Died At 40
Dame Deborah, who is described by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as an inspiration fought the bowel cancer till her 40.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called her charitable efforts “really amazing, even in the most difficult situations.”
Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, described her as a “genuine inspiration” whose approach to cancer “moved the country, spurred reform, and likely saved lives.”
She also established the Bowelbabe Fund to gather funds for research into personalized treatment for cancer sufferers.
It crossed £1 million in less than 24 hours, well exceeding her intended target of £250,000, and has since raised about £7 million. Her Bowelbabe fund will benefit Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK, and the Royal Marsden Hospital, a specialized cancer treatment center.
She was made a dame by Prince William in May at her parents’ house in Woking, Surrey, where she had decided to live.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who donated to the research fund, hailed her “tireless efforts” and expressed gratitude for “providing hope” to others suffering from the condition.
In 2018, Dame Deborah co-hosted You, Me, and the Big C with Lauren Mahon and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Rachael Bland. The show received plaudits for its candid discussion of cancer.
They chatted with famous guests and addressed practical issues such as hair loss, financial recommendations, and informing loved ones about ailments.
Bland died in September 2018, at the age of 40, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
F*** You Cancer: How to Face the Big C, Live Your Life, and Still Be Yourself, Dame Deborah’s debut book, was released in 2018.
Her second book, How To Live When You Could Die, will be released on August 18th.