Deborah's Story | Stand Up To Cancer

Published 2022-11-04
“She was a force of nature. She was always lively, enthusiastic. Such a zest for life.”

Dame Deborah James, also known as Bowelbabe, died in June this year. Her mum, Heather, talks about the impact Deborah made as she dealt with her diagnosis.

1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer during their life time. Every pound you give helps speed up life-saving cancer research, bringing treatments to people who need them, faster.

DONATE: www.standuptocancer.org.uk/ways-to-donate
SEE MORE STORIES: www.standuptocancer.org.uk/about/stories
ABOUT SU2C: www.standuptocancer.org.uk/about

Find us:
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/standuptocancerUK/
TWITTER: twitter.com/su2cuk
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/su2cuk/

All Comments (21)
  • Lost my mum to bowel cancer 19 years ago. Deborah’s legacy is amazing and will save lives, as people seek out diagnosis earlier than they might previously have done so. 💔
  • @JonMcG
    im sure I wasn't the only one that fell in love with Debra . she was intoxicating , her energy was limitless , she selflessly helped so many , just by being the best part of who she was .
  • @CheriDawn
    From one mom (mum) to another, I feel the same pain now. My son is the same age as your daughter. His bone cancer has spread to his lungs. We’re hoping he’ll last until Christmas. Bless you for your story. ❤️
  • @eve9287
    Deborah was so beautiful such a fashionista, her style her personality ❤️❤️❤️❤️👌👌👌
  • Mad respect to the mum for somehow managing not to cry during the interview. So stoic and strong 💖
  • @jc-246
    Deborah's story always upsets me because it's just so alarming her symptoms. So sad. So full of life. It's hard to believe she is no longer here on our TV with her great personality. Special lady 🙏
  • @michellewinstone
    Thank you so much, you saved my life, I was diagnosed with t4 bowel and had it removed with half my bowel. I had no sign of blood, but there was in the test. Thank you for saving my life. Michelle mum of four beautiful children ❤️
  • My beautiful 34yr old niece was going through breast cancer at the same time as debs god rest there souls
  • @Janet7144
    How brave of her mum to describe her beloved daughter's fight against this terrible disease💔
  • @normabyde6657
    So sad every time we read the story of this beautiful woman. How could this happen so devastatingly to a healthy brilliant girl ?
  • @tabithatotten
    Thank You Dame Deborah for your life and selflessness💜
  • @BOLLOCKS1968
    So sad! I was diagnosed with Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma during the height of the pandemic. I had not been feeling well for a while and was having pain and trouble peeing. I went to the hospital repeatedly only to be told ...how would I know if I was sick if I wasn't a Doctor? I said I know my body and there is something wrong, could you please do a CT scan or some kind of test. Nope. Can't you see we are overrun with covid patients and don't have time for hypochondriacs! Finally I went to another hospital and demanded that I see a Doctor and have a scan. I told them I understand that there is a pandemic but I am not leaving until I get some tests ... and I was told they would call the police. I said please do and I will be calling the local news station at the same time. They finally relented and gave me a CT scan and an MRI. I found out I was in the second stage of Renal Cancer and had a 5 inch tumor in my right kidney and needed imediate surgery. Which took another 4 months! I finally had my surgery and a large portion of my right kidney removed. My message is know your body and don't ignore what it is telling you, and most importantly, advocate for yourself because nobody else is going to. So many people fall through the cracks in the health care system needlessly and a lot of people die because they were perceived as being a nuisance or dramatic. Sad but true. My heart goes out to her family ✌❤
  • Say not in grief 'she is no more' but in thankfulness say 'she was'. As long as we live, she too will live; for she is now a part of us. Hebrew Proverb
  • @DeborahAbelha
    God bless her soul and strength to her family and all affected 😢
  • Deborah, you were an amazing person with a beautiful soul. Who was sadly taken from this life too soon? Thank you for all that you were plus more and shedding light on the cancer that we fight continuously. You're just an awesome person all around, and I pray that in the next life that you are healthy, joyful, and full of life as you were in this life. May you rest peacefully in the arms of the Almighty father and his incredible angels. You were a brave and empowering woman, and to those who were lucky enough to have known you, you brought an incredible light into everyone's life. Rest in peace, sweetheart. ❤
  • @SteeleArtz
    I am so so sorry for your loss she was such a inspiration to so many of us . May God give each of you peace and love and continue to gelp others with what they may go thru .
  • deborah is such an amazing lady and didn’t let cancer get her down 💖 may her soul fly high 🕊️