Deborah James ’ cancer research fund has hit a staggering total of more than £3 million, as she revealed her last wishes.
The 40-year-old, who has terminal bowel cancer, made the devastating announcement on Monday that she was no longer receiving treatment as her body “simply isn’t playing ball”.
Deborah is now at her parents’ home in Woking, surrounded by her family - including husband Sebastien, son Hugo, 14, and daughter Eloise, 12 - and confessed she’s now facing the “unknown”.
However, the inspirational and fearless star, who co-hosts the podcast You, Me and the Big C, had one final request before she died, and that was to raise money to fund vital research and pioneering treatments to other cancer patients.
Announcing the launch of the BowelBabe Fund, Deborah told her followers she wanted them to donate the price of a drink in her honour, and in less than two days, more than £3 million has been raised.
“I’m just blown away, I never thought we’d get to that number in 12 hours. It makes me emotional to see the outpouring of love," she told The Sun.
In just 24 hours, the total had surpassed £1 million, and thanks to high-profile coverage on shows including Lorraine and BBC Breakfast, more money has poured into the fund.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd be waking up to this total 12 hours later. I'm actually crying!” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.
Now, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, have thrown their support behind Debora’s vital cancer research fund, and shared a touching post honouring the mum-of-two and her tireless efforts to raise awareness.
All of the money raised will be split between Cancer Research UK, the Royal Marsden, and Bowel Cancer UK.
The star shared details of her cancer journey in a regular column for The Sun - titled Things Cancer Made Me Say - as well as on the You, Me and the Big C podcast, and on ITV ’s morning show Lorraine.
Debora struck up a close friendship with the 62-year-old presenter, and she tearfully paid tribute to her friend during Tuesday’s show.
“I know she is watching now, and she wants to say, ‘Thank you’,” Lorraine told viewers.
