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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Deborah James' family thanks public for support as they continue to raise charity funds

Dame Deborah James ' family have thanked the public for their support as they continue to raise money for charity.

The podcaster, 40, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, established the Bowelbabe Fund recently to raise money and awareness, as she receives end-of-life care.

The initiative - in collaboration with Cancer Research UK - has already raised more than £6 million in the few weeks since it was set up by Deborah, her family and the charity.

And in an update on its Instagram page today, her family thanked her supporters for donating to the Bowelbabe Fund - which funds causes and projects close to her heart.

Dame Deborah James launched the Bowelbabe Fund earlier this month, to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK (Dave Benett/Getty Images for JW Marriott Grosvenor House London)
Deborah, pictured with her husband Sebastian Bowen, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

They said: "Through donations, fundraising and partnerships we are all continuing to raise an incredible amount of money that will help give more Deborah's more time."

The family added in their recent statement on social media: "All money raised will be allocated, with the support of [Cancer Research UK], to funding causes and projects."

It includes funding clinical trials and research into personalised medicine that could result in new treatments for cancer patients, as well as continuing to raise awareness.

She's continued to campaign around the disease in recent years and recently announced she's now receiving end of life care (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

The statement highlighted that potential projects as a result of such fundraising could include some in collaboration with the likes of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).

The family added: "Thank you all so much for your continued support, and if you've donated, bought a book, t-shirt or rose, or held a bake sale, fundraised, or shared Deborah's story."

They concluded the statement, which was shared earlier today on social media, by writing to her supporters: "You're all incredible, and we are totally blown away by you all."

Deborah's fundraising initiative has raised more than £6 million in the few weeks since it was launched (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Deborah - known as 'Bowel Babe' - has been a high-profile advocate around cancer awareness for a number of years, including through the podcast You, Me and the Big C.

She issued an update on her own condition earlier this month, announcing that she was receiving hospice care at home as her body "just can't continue anymore."

The campaigner and podcast host said in a statement: "My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me."

Alongside the fund itself, she announced a new book, to be released later this year, which will provide further fundraising for the cancer charity (Instagram/ @bowelbabe)

Deborah 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." She thanked fans for their continued support.

It was in that post that she announced the launch of the Bowelbabe Fund, in collaboration with Cancer Research UK. The fund has already raised more than £6 million.

She has also confirmed in recent weeks that her new book, How to Live When You Could be Dead, will be released in August and received a Damehood for her campaigning.

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