BBC Breakfast hosts Dan Walker and Sally Nugent were visibly emotional as they reacted to the heartbreaking news that fellow journalist, Deborah James' is now receiving hospice care. In a heartbreaking Instagram post on Monday, May 9, Deborah told fans that she is now receiving hospice at-home care for her bowel cancer. The 40-year-old presenter said: "nobody knows how long I've got left".
Reacting to the post, Dan Walker said that BBC Breakfast had received a 'huge response' to Deborah's announcement. "We’ve spent quite a lot of time with her on this programme and people feel that they know her really well," he said. "Even though you know that she has been ill for a long time and she’s spoken a lot about what will happen to her eventually, it’s that shock moment that it’s happening now isn’t it?"
In response, co-host Sally Nugent talked about the huge amount of money that the presenter had raised for bowel cancer charities. "The fund that she started is right now at £650,000," Sally told viewers as the co-hosts relayed the emotional information. Dan added that Deborah is "with her family right now and [he is] sure that the amount of money will give her something to smile about through a really difficult and horrible time."
Deborah, who has had numerous appearances on BBC Breakfast, was diagnosed with the illness in 2016 and kept her thousands of followers updated with candid accounts of her treatment. The former deputy head teacher said Bowelbabe Fund - named after her online handle - was being set up to fund research into personalised medicine for cancer patients, and to support campaigns to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
The Mirror reported Deborah said on her Instagram account @BowelBabe earlier today (May 9): "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."
Deborah, who presented the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live, went on: "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 has 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."
She added: "Right now for me it's all about taking it a day at a time, step by step and being grateful for another sunrise. My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I'll cry!) at every possible moment!"
She finished off her post by encouraging people to "enjoy life" while they could. She added: "You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey. No regrets. Enjoy life x"
