Deborah James's heartbreaking 'goodbye' post raises over £3.5 million for charity

The mum of two, who has terminal bowel cancer, has revealed she doesn't have long left now.

Deborah James has posted what she calls 'the message I never wanted to write' on her Insta.

After being diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016, Deborah, a former deputy head teacher, has documented her brave journey under the nickname 'Bowel Babe'. She's also known for her award-winning BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C, which she co-hosts with Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland.

After her diagnosis, Deborah was given five years to live – a milestone she passed in autumn 2021. But yesterday she revealed she's been moved to hospice care and is extremely poorly.

Her heartbreaking post said:

'The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball.

'My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.

'Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams. I know we have left no stone unturned.

'But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore.

'In over five years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn’t see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school - I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye.

'I think it’s been the rebellious hope in me. But I don’t think anyone can say the last six months have exactly been kind!

'It’s all heartbreaking to be going through but I’m surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will.'

Deborah asked anyone reading or following her journey to 'buy her a drink', donating the money to charity via bowelbabe.org. She's already raised more than £3.5 million, smashing her £250,000 target.

Here's her last request in her own witty words:

'I always knew there was one thing I always wanted to do before I died. I have always over the years raised as much awareness and money for the charities that are closest to me.@cr_uk@royalmarsden@bowelcanceruk

As a result, the @bowelbabefund is being established and I’d love nothing more than for you to help it flourish. Please visit bowelbabe.org for all the info and to donate.

'All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason. Please buy me a drink to see me out this world, by donating the cost to @bowelbabefund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer. To give more Deborah’s more time!'

Now Deborah says she's just 'taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise.'

Deborah has two children, Hugo, 14 and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien Bowen.