By Charlotte Webster-
The bowel cancer research fund set up by the late Dame Deborah James has raised £11.3m, and making headlines in the Uk.
Money from the Bowelbabe fund is now being distributed by Cancer Research UK to projects trying to advance studies into the disease Dame Deborah was diagnosed with in 2016.
Debs, who was made a dame by Prince William for her fundraising efforts, died last June aged 40 following a five-year battle with bowel cancer.
She had launched the Bowelbabe cancer research fund to raise money for research into personalised medicine for cancer patients.
She also left behind a video message expressing her gratitude over the success of her campaign and her plans for how the funds raised would be used.
‘One thing I wanted to do before I passed away was to set up the Bowelbabe fund,’ Dame Deborah said in the video, which was released today.
‘I wanted to set it up to ensure that more people can benefit from some of the things that I benefited from.
‘We will ensure that more people have access to personalised medicine, clinical trials, cutting edge technology to help more and more people live longer with cancer.’
She added: ‘Every penny counts. I cannot thank you enough for your support of the Bowelbabe fund. You are awesome.’
She became a campaigner on the issue of bowel cancer, encouraging the public to know the signs and to get checked.
The bowel cancer research fund set up by the late Dame Deborah James has raised £11.3m.
Money from the Bowelbabe fund is now being distributed by Cancer Research UK to projects trying to advance studies into the disease Dame Deborah was diagnosed with in 2016.
The host of the BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast was praised for her no-nonsense approach to talking about cancer, having shared her experiences of treatment and daily life since her diagnosis.
Dame Deborah started a cancer blog before writing for the Sun and becoming a BBC broadcaster.
She became a campaigner on the issue of bowel cancer, encouraging the public to know the signs and to get checked. It raised more than £1m in the 24 hours after its launch last May. This came at the same time Deborah announced she would be undergoing end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Surrey.
On Wednesday, Cancer Research UK said some projects would initially receive cash from the Bowelbabe fund, including a study that will look at the beginnings of a new precision treatment that could stop the spread of bowel cancer, led by the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Another project will look at targeting microbes that might cause cancer, with researchers already making discoveries about the type of bacteria in people under 50 that could increase the risk of the disease.
A separate study from Queen Mary University of London will examine using artificial intelligence and blood tests to detect the earliest signs of cancer.
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.”
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.
“The fund will be fuelled by Deborah’s spirit of rebellious hope, and the projects announced today are the first step in continuing Dame Deborah’s legacy to bring hope for a better future for people affected by cancer.”
It raised more than £1m in the 24 hours after its launch last May. This came at the same time Deborah announced she would be undergoing end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Surrey.
On Wednesday, Cancer Research UK said which projects would initially receive cash from the Bowelbabe fund, including a study that will look at the beginnings of a new precision treatment that could stop the spread of bowel cancer, led by the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute of Cancer Research, London.
Another project will look at targeting microbes that might cause cancer, with researchers already making discoveries about the type of bacteria in people under 50 that could increase the risk of the disease.Deborah James, Steve Bland, Lauren 'Lolli' Mahon pictured in 2019
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A further study from Queen Mary University of London will look at using artificial intelligence and blood tests to detect the earliest signs of cancer.
More projects to receive funding will be announced later in the year.
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.”
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.
“The fund will be fuelled by Deborah’s spirit of rebellious hope, and the projects announced today are the first step in continuing Dame Deborah’s legacy to bring hope for a better future for people affected by cancer.”