Deborah told me that bad news does not define you.. I take comfort that my Mum is with her
DAME Deborah James is an example of courage to millions – including an NHS worker whose mum died the same day.
Ambulance dispatcher Helen Smith is one of three people who tell today how the cancer campaigner’s kindness, honesty and dynamism touched their lives.
Helen, 42, had a video call with Deborah while working long hours during the pandemic and trying to cope with the sudden death of her dad Geoff aged 71 in 2020.
During their chat, the ‘Bowelbabe’ encouraged the mum of two, from Garforth, West Yorks, to stay strong and defeat adversity.
Helen said: “She was really positive about everything, and said that just because you are given bad news it doesn’t define who you are.” Last Tuesday Helen’s mum Anne died aged 69 in hospital after getting sepsis following a fall.
She added: “It’s nice to think of them up there together.
“Deborah’s legacy is one of strength in adversity, and that’s how I am going to take this forward.”
Deborah is also a heroine to Rachel Woods, 53, who has incurable secondary breast cancer which has spread to her liver.
Rachel said lying in bed listening to her podcast You Me and the Big C, as she began six months of chemotherapy and lost her hair, had been a huge comfort. Rachel recalled: “It
Dame touched so many lives gave me real people coping with terrifying, knowing that is ahead 42, of Glossop, Derbys, who has the disease, living with it – while of me. It’s a reminder I’m not remarried and had a third child, I was facing my own death. getting out of this alive – but it’s launched charity Mummy’s Star
“I loved Deborah, there was about making the most of however for those hit by cancer during something about her – she was long I live. and post pregnancy. zesty, sexy, funny, courageous “Thanks to Deborah, I don’t He added of Dame Deborah: and unique. see cancer as a fight, it’s something “The legacy we’ve seen this
“She not only gave me information I need to dance with.” week is only a snapshot – the and knowledge, she gave Widower Pete Wallroth, who true impact will come out as me someone to look to – and lost his wife Mair, 41, to cancer these years go by.” know I could do it too.” in 2012, 10 weeks after having Deborah’s death aged 40 after
Rachel, of Caldicot, their son, spoke candidly on a six-year battle with bowel cancer Monmouthshire, married her Deborah’s podcast in 2019. has inspired thousands more partner of 10 years, crane operator He said: “We spent most of to check for symptoms. Steve, 56, after her diagnosis. the hour laughing about death She was made a Dame in May She has treatment every and dying and having that entitlement and the Bowelbabe Fund for three weeks. to have that dark humour. cancer research on Justgiving
She said: “Watching That candidness carried has now topped £7million. Deborah’s pathway has been over to her campaigning.” Pete, feedback@people.co.uk