Dame Deborah James’s dad says she’d be delighted her campaign is helping cancer treatment

DAME Deborah James’s dad has said she would be delighted her Bowelbabe campaign is helping cancer treatment.

Her fund has raised more than £12million, with £1million going to the Royal Marsden London where she was treated before her death at 40 in 2022.

The hospital has a new interventional radiology machine and suite named in her honour.

Dame Debs had interventional radiology, which uses imaging techniques to diagnose and treat cancer in a minimally invasive way.

Dad Alastair James said there is a “hole” in their lives since her death but they “remember her with love and pride and enjoyment”.

“We also all remember, like so many people, if you can, you’ve got to get out and live your life for the full.

“Live every day, make the most of it, and make memories.”

He added that her family do experience periods of sadness, but they feel “honoured” and “lucky” to be able to talk about their daughter to others.

“And if that helps, that carries the move forward, that’s brilliant”, he said.

In her final weeks, Dame Deborah continued her campaigning by announcing the profits of her clothing line and royalties from her book would go towards the fund.

She was honoured with a damehood for her “tireless” work improving awareness of the disease, which was personally conferred by the Prince of Wales during a surprise visit to her parents’ house.