SHINING LIGHT
Susanna Reid chokes up as she hails ‘inspirational’ Deborah James, 40, on GMB after heartbreaking final Instagram post
SUSANNA Reid choked up this morning as she hailed "inspirational" Deborah James, 40, after the campaigner's heartbreaking final Instagram post.
Sun columnist Deborah revealed yesterday she has been moved into hospice care after her terminal bowel cancer diagnosis.
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The former schoolteacher and presenter of BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C shared her final social media post last night, telling her legions of fans: "The tweet I never wanted to write.
"The time has come to say goodbye."
Good Morning Britain presenters Richard Madeley, Susanna Reid, and Charlotte Hawkins rallied around the mum-of-two on this morning's show.
Susanna told viewers Deborah has raised more than £800,000 for her charity in just 24 hours after sharing her sad news - and said she's donated too.
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The 51-year-old sounded on the verge of tears as she said: "Absolutely terrific the impact she is having and we send our love to you."
She called Deborah "hugely inspirational and hugely influential", adding: "Raising that amount will have extremely positive effect."
Charlotte, 46, said: "Deborah, we salute you."
Meanwhile, Dr Hilary says the campaigner has "undoubtedly saved many lives" by raising awareness.
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"She is an extraordinary person. She has always tried to remove the stigma of bowel cancer with humour and good humour," he said.
"She has fought against all odds and exhausted all active treatments. She's beloved by the nation now, she really has made it fun."
He reminded people of the symptoms of bowel cancer - blood in bowel movements, an obvious change in toilet habits, unexplained weight loss, exhaustion and tiredness, and lumps, pain or swelling.
Close friend Lorraine's voice shook as she discussed Deborah on the show this morning.
She said it's "typical, typical Deborah" to be fundraising - adding: "Every time I see the total going up, it makes me feel a little bit better."
Deborah revealed the previous six months had been "heartbreaking" to go through, but that she had been surrounded by "so much love" and had "no regrets".
She was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and since then has kept her nearly 300,000 Instagram followers up to date with candid posts about her progress and diagnosis.
'BELOVED BY THE NATION'
On December 14 2021, she marked five years since her diagnosis, writing on Instagram: "I'm fully aware I shouldn't be alive to write this today."
But in a new post on Monday, she said: "The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball.
"My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I'm not in pain and spending time with them.
"Nobody knows how long I've got left but I'm not able to walk, I'm sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams."
She added that she had left "no stone unturned" in search of treatment, but that even a "magic new breakthrough" would not make a difference.
We've tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball
Sharing links to charities including Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, she asked supporters to make donations and "buy me a drink to see me out this world".
She 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.
"My whole family are around me and we will dance through this together, sunbathing and laughing (I'll cry!!) at every possible moment!
"You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey.
"No regrets. Enjoy life x Deborah."
Deborah has now told The Sun she's "blown away" by the amount she's raised.
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"I never thought we’d get to that number," she said.
“It makes me emotional to see the outpouring of love."
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