DAME Deborah James has been named in Vogue magazine’s 25 most influential women of 2022 alongside the likes of the Queen.
Debs saved lives as a cancer campaigner, and will continue to do so beyond her passing, on June 28, 2022, aged 40 years old.
Deborah James was a campaigner, mum-of-two, wife and teacher
Deb’s was named in Vogue’s most inspirational women of 2022. Pictured: The cover of the August issue with LGBTQ+ faces
Her ability to change the conversation around cancer was so powerful she was given a Damehood in her final days.
Each year, Vogue picks out 25 groundbreaking politicians, musicians and campaigners.
It said this year, editors were “especially aware of those women who have been through unimaginable ordeals and shown resilience that offers strength to us all”.
Among its “incredible women” this year are Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the journalist who was reunited with her family after being detained for six years in Iran.
Jebina Yasmin Islam, who is raising awarness of violence against women after her sister, Sabina Nessa, was murdered last September, also makes the list.
Donna Ockenden, who conducted the inquiry into the biggest midwifery scandal in the NHS, and Victoria Beckham are also up there.
And among the famous names is Sun writer Deborah James, who, for five years, made it her mission to get people talking about bowel cancer symptoms.
Vogue wrote: “After she was diagnosed with stage-three bowel cancer aged 35, Deborah James – who sadly passed away last month – began documenting her treatment online and on the BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C.
“Praised for her candidness, she not only helped other sufferers with practical advice, but convinced many more to visit their GPs.
“When, in May, James shared her terminal diagnosis, she simultaneously launched a fund for Cancer Research UK.
“Having raised more than £7 million, her unrivalled campaigning will continue to impact countless lives.”
Deborah was told at her diagnosis that her cancer was inoperable, and given an eight per cent chance of survival over five years.
The teacher, mum-of-two and wife had felt fit and healthy, never in a million years did she think her symptoms were cancer.
But she was soon shouting from the rooftops that you’re “never too young”.
She defied the odds with a fighting spirit, hit her 40th birthday, and dedicated her time to campaigning.
By the time her cancer had become terminal, in May 2022, Deborah had become a national hero.
She was given a Damehood by Prince William in her parent’s back garden.
In her final days, Debs raised millions for the newly launched Bowelbabe Fund – named after her Instagram, Bowelbabe, which amassed one million followers.
Between family time and feeling exhausted, Debs launched a clothing line, her new book and campaigned for the symptoms of bowel cancer to be put on loo roll packaging.
Throughout her journey – which she shared with Sun readers in her column Things Cancer Made Me Say – Debs always told people to “check your poo”.
And after her death, searches of bowel cancer symptoms on the NHS increased 10-fold.
Her final words, published by her family on her Instagram, were: “Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.”
- Donate to the Bowelbabe Fund by clicking here.
Debs defied the odds of eight per cent chance of suvival
Deborah’s cancer was inoperable, but she was given treatment to prolong her life for five years
