Deborah James’ family thanks the public for their support as they continue to raise charity funds

Dame Deborah James, who receives palliative care at home, set up the Bowelbabe Fund earlier this month and the initiative has already raised over £6million for Cancer Research UK

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Deborah James ‘kisses the rain’ amid cancer battle

The family of Dame Deborah James have thanked the public for their support as she continues to raise money for charity.

The podcaster, 40, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, set the Bowelbabe Fund recently to raise funds and awareness as she receives end-of-life care.

The initiative – in collaboration with Cancer Research UK – has already raised more than £6million in the weeks since it was set up by Deborah, her family and the charity.

And in an update on her Instagram page today, her family thanked her followers for donating to the Bowelbabe Fund – which funds causes and projects close to her heart.

Dame Deborah James launched the Bowelbabe Fund earlier this month, to raise money and awareness of Cancer Research UK
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Image:

Dave Benett/Getty Images for JW Marriott Grosvenor House London)

Deborah, pictured with husband Sebastian Bowen, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016
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Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

They said, “Through donations, fundraising and partnerships, we all continue to raise an incredible amount of money that will help give Deborah more time.”

The family added in their recent statement on social media: “All money raised will be allocated, with the support of [Cancer Research UK]fundraising for causes and projects.”

It includes funding clinical trials and personalized medicine research that could lead to new treatments for cancer patients, as well as continuing to raise awareness.

She has continued to campaign around the disease in recent years and recently announced that she is now receiving end-of-life care
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Image:

Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

The statement pointed out that potential projects resulting from such fundraising could include some in collaboration with bodies like the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR).

The family added: “Thank you all for your continued support, and if you made a donation, bought a book, t-shirt or rose, or hosted a bake sale, raised funds or shared the story of Deborah.”

They concluded the statement, which was shared earlier today on social media, by writing to his followers, “You are all amazing, and we are totally blown away by you all.”

Deborah’s fundraising initiative has raised over £6million in the few weeks since its launch
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Image:

Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Deborah – known as “Bowel Babe” – has been a prominent advocate for cancer awareness for several years, including through the podcast You, Me and the Big C.

She posted an update on her own condition earlier this month, announcing that she was receiving palliative care at home because her body “just can’t go on anymore”.

The activist and podcast host said in a statement: ‘My acute care has come to a halt and I have now been transferred to palliative care at home, with my amazing family all around me.

Alongside the fund itself, she announced a new book, due out later this year, which will provide new fundraising for the cancer charity.
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Image:

Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Deborah added: “Right now for me it’s all about taking one day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.” She thanked fans for their continued support.

It was in this post that she announced the launch of the Bowelbabe Fund, in collaboration with Cancer Research UK. The fund has already raised over £6m.

She also confirmed in recent weeks that her new book, How to Live When You Could be Dead, will be released in August and received a Damehood for her campaign.