Deborah James battled colon cancer for years. Now the BBC presenter has died at the age of 40. She was an "inspiration", writes her family. The Brit was committed to the last for other victims.
The fate of the terminally ill BBC presenter Deborah James moved many people not only in Great Britain. She succumbed to cancer on June 28, aged just 40, according to her family on James' official Instagram account.
"We are deeply saddened to have to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the greatest wife, daughter, sister and mom. Deborah went peacefully today, surrounded by her family," says a picture that shows a healthy James beaming with joy .
The presenter was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. Despite chemotherapy and several operations, the cancer could not be defeated. About a month and a half ago, James shared via Instagram that there was no hope for her and that she would die in the foreseeable future.
Despite this shocking realization, she didn't withdraw, but has since posted pictures of herself almost every day, showing her willingness to enjoy her life to the fullest. On June 18, she beamed with joy and announced that she had raised one million British pounds for a cancer foundation.
"We are incredibly proud of her and her work and dedication to charitable campaigns, fundraisers and her tireless efforts to raise awareness for cancer," her family's post read. James was an "inspiration".
Ever since she was diagnosed around six years ago, James had done everything she could to educate people about the disease and actively contribute to fighting it. For example with her BBC podcast "You, Me and the Big C". Queen Elizabeth II made James a lady and knighted her, Prince William visited her and personally presented her with her knightly order.
In her family's post, Deborah James offers final advice to her followers: "Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope."
