Dame Deborah James raised a staggering £11.3 million for charity from a fund set up in the last weeks of her life, it has been revealed.
The journalisauthor and podcast host died at the age of 40 surrounded by her family in June last year following a brave five-year battle with bowel cancer.
She began her social media campaign, named Bowelbabe, shortly after her diagnosis to increase awareness of the disease and raise money for charity.
Spending years speaking out on her experience and those of other people with cancer, mother-of-two Deborah gained a huge online following was eventually made a Dame last May by Prince William for her fundraising efforts.
She began one final drive just days before she passed away, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, which aimed to raise £250,000 for the charity.
Now, to mark Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, her family have revealed the fund has brought in a total of £11.3 million since its launch in May 2022 - and have shared some of the vital 'cutting edge' projects that will benefit from the money.
In previously unseen footage recorded before she died and shared by The Sun, Deborah is seen thanking 330,000 people who have donated to the fund, saying: "Every penny counts. I cannot thank you enough for your support"
Reacting to the incredible sum, Dame Deborah’s husband Sebastien Bowen, said: “I’m immensely proud and humbled to continue the work that Deborah started.
As a family, we’ve been overwhelmed by all the support the fund has received, and to raise £11.3 million is just incredible.
"We’ve taken some time to select the first round of funded projects, and are pleased to announce them today.
"There is some fantastic, cutting-edge bowel cancer research and brilliant awareness activity taking place, and we know that Deborah would be behind this every step of the way.”
Cancer Research UK have already revealed some of the initial research projects that will benefit from Bowelbabe funding, with one seeking to innovate new precision treatment that could stop the spread of bowel cancer.
This will be led by Professor Trevor Graham, director of the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Another project involving a team of leading scientists will look at targeting microbes known cause bowel cancer.
Having already discovered a type of bacteria that increases the risk of bowel cancer in some people under 50, they are now exploring whether it may be possible to target these bacteria to reduce the risk.
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK Michelle Mitchell said: “Dame Deborah James was a force of nature, doing all she could to raise awareness, fundraise and campaign.
"The overwhelming support the fund has received is a true testament to how many lives she touched.
"We’re deeply honoured to be working with Deborah’s family to continue her legacy through the Bowelbabe Fund and are grateful to everyone who has donated."
Cancer Research UK said the fundraising page will continue to be open to new donations, with the aim of raising as much money as possible.
