MOTHER’S LOVE
Deborah James shares touching photo of daughter modelling her sell-out charity T-shirt
DEBORAH James shared a sweet picture of her daughter modelling her sell-out charity T-shirt.
Dame Debs has continued her astonishing fundraising effort by launching the first item in a collection with In The Style.
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The 40-year-old released a top with her beloved "rebellious hope" slogan on the front.
Within hours two batches of 10,000 T-shirts had sold out - raising £140,000 for her BowelBabe fund.
The Sun writer, who modelled it with her daughter Eloise, 12, said 100 per cent of the profits will go to her BowelBabe Fund, which has so far raised £6.4million for cancer research.
She posted pictures of herself and Eloise looking like pros as they sported the design in her parents' home.
- Donate to keep raising money for Deborah's BowelBabe fund
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Dame Debs told The Sun: “I can’t believe how quickly it sold out, I am blown away yet again.
“I’ve loved making and creating the ITS collection, it’s been something beautiful to take my mind off cancer.
“The charity T-shirt is just a sneak peek but I am so proud.
“It’s a quote I have used time and time again, and rebellious hope is most certainly how I have lived my life.
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“We all need to find the light in that rebellious hope, to keep the flame burning in the darkest hours.”
Debs said sadly she will have to leave it to her family to share the full collection, which is inspired by British summertime.
But she said she’s been trying out a whole host of the dresses, including those she and her family wore when Prince William visited to honour Debs with her Damehood.
She added: “I cannot tell you guys how this partnership has kept me going through my hospital stays and taken me away from cancer.
"For years, I always talked about ‘dressing up to make you feel better’ and over recent months all the ups and downs, being in and out of hospital, dressing up in nice clothes and popping on some lippy has made a difference to my journey.
“I really hope that you love the collection as much as I do and I hope it brings you joy, I hope it makes you feel great.”
In The Style founder Adam Frisby said: “Although I wish I was saying this under different circumstances, I am incredibly proud of this collaboration with Dame Deborah.
"I’ve followed Deborah for a long time and her constant positivity, uplifting spirit and just overall mentality of living her life to the full and making every day count is an inspiration to me, my team and everyone else who has come across her journey.
“I noticed how much she loved dressing up and how clothes made her feel more confident - so together we’ve made sure this collection encapsulates all of that - a range that is all about ‘dressing up to feel better’ and that stands for anyone no matter what your situation is."
What are the symptoms to look for? Remember "BOWEL"
- B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it's important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It's important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It's especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you're not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don't be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you've lost weight and don't really know why, it's worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body - anaemia. If you develop anaemia you're likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It's most likely you'll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn't go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep
Deborah said: "Adam approached me and said lets do something with In The Style, and I thought, 'Is this for real?' and actually he said, 'No I love the way you use clothes to make you feel better to get through the day'.
"And I was like that's exactly what it is - regardless of what situation you're in sometimes you can hide whatever's going on inside by just wearing a nice dress, looking and feeling fabulous, feeling great and facing the day in a different way.
"That was in January and things have kicked off since then."
Last Monday, she shared a heartbreaking Instagram post saying she was now receiving end-of-life care at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, because the heroic efforts of her team of medics at The Royal Marsden Hospital in South West London were now fruitless.
She said her body “simply isn’t playing ball”, adding: “My body is so emaciated that I have no choice but to surrender to the inevitable.”
On Monday she managed to get out of the house for the first time in 10 days.
The 40-year-old spent some time at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey with her husband Sebastien Bowen.
Posting to , she said: "Seb whisked me (bit of a mission but worth it!) at the crack of dawn to before all the crowds, to say well done for the book launch, and it was just perfect for an hour.
"I haven’t left the house in 10 days as have been too weak, and whilst I’m now going to snooze for most of the day (in the sun like a cat!) - I love this picture of reminding me of vibrant green life all around, despite the sadness of knowing the state of my body inside.
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"But Seb is an utter rock for me and together we seem to be able to squeeze our hands, swallow the tears and laugh instead."
The mum-of-two was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer just days before Christmas in 2016.
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The inspiring cancer campaigner was made a Dame last week after calls - led by The Sun - followed her astonishing fundraising effort.
Prince William travelled to her parents' house in Woking, where she is spending her last days, to ensure she go the gong from him.
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