Podcast host Deborah James said she was “absolutely overwhelmed” by the generosity of people as hundreds of thousands of pounds have been donated to the cancer fund she founded.
he popular BBC podcast host You, me and the big C announced on Monday that she had set up the Bowelbabe Fund when she announced she had moved into a home hospice to be treated for her end-stage colon cancer.
The fund has since received donations of more than £2million, a number which James admitted exceeded all of her expectations and made her feel “absolutely loved”.
In an interview on BBC breakfast On Wednesday she said: “I had a number in my head of about a quarter of a million because I figured that would be enough to fund a couple of the charities I wanted to fund.
“But in 24 hours to make a million I’m absolutely blown away and just can’t thank people enough for their generosity.
“Because it just means so much to me. It makes me feel absolutely loved.
“It gives me the feeling that in the end we’re all in this together and we all want to make a difference.”
James was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and since then has kept her nearly 500,000 Instagram followers up to date with candid posts about her progress and diagnosis about her treatments.
The podcast host said she “always knew” she wanted to set up the fund before she died, and had she known how little time she had, she would have set it up six months ago.
She hopes the fund will continue to work on some of the things that have helped her life, such as innovative drug trials.
James added, “Ultimately, I really don’t want any other Deborahs to have to go through this.”
In the Instagram post on Monday, she said she doesn’t know how long she’s been gone and that while the past six months have been “heartbreaking,” she’s been surrounded by “so much love” and has “no regrets.” “.
She wrote of the fund: “I’ve always raised so much awareness and money for the charities closest to me over the years. @cr_uk @royalmarsden @bowelcanceruk
“As a result, the @bowelbabefund is formed and I would be happier for nothing than for you to help it thrive. Please visit bowelbabe.org for all information and to donate (link in bio).”
The former Deputy Headmistress also wrote her latest column in The Sun on Tuesday, opening it by saying it was the one she “never wanted to write. My last”.
Reflecting on her journey, James remarked, “The last six months have probably been the toughest of my entire cancer journey.”
She explained that the “relentless medicalization” of her body has been “heartbreaking” and that her moments out of the hospital and pain-free have become increasingly rare.
The podcast host is now at home in end-of-life hospice care, where she is focused on making her comfortable so she can have the “best death” she can.
She added: “I don’t want to die – I can’t imagine that I won’t see my children’s weddings or see them grow up – that I will no longer be a part of the life I love so much.”
“I’m not brave — I’m not dying gracefully — I’m just a scared girl doing something I have no choice about, but I know I’m grateful for the life I’ve had.”
Source: independent