Dame Deborah James has shared her 'slightly odd and morbid' fashion plans as she receives end-of-life care, revealing she will wear a different dress from her new clothing line each day until she dies.
The British podcast host, who is terminally ill with Stage Four bowel cancer, has announced the launch of her new collection with IntheStyle in aid of her Bowelbabe fund. The update comes shortly after it was revealed that Deborah is 'scared' to fall asleep, after being told by doctors she had just one week to live.
Speaking from her parents' home in Woking on Thursday, the smiling 40-year-old gave an interview about the exciting project on Instagram.
"The reason that I really wanted to do it is because it's something totally different to cancer for me," Deborah said. "I love fashion. Anybody that's followed me for years and years and years knows I love my dresses. I'm always hunting for the best prints. I love clothes. It makes me happy."
Deborah, who has two children, Eloise, 12, and Hugo, 14 with husband Sebastian, also shared how she intends to celebrate her hard work - most of which was done while she was receiving treatment in hospital.
"Basically from now until I die, I'm wearing a different dress each day, which sounds slightly odd and morbid, but I'm enjoying it so much," she said, after admitting she's 'gutted' that she won't be here to see the success of the line. The launch is just one of many memorable moments for the cancer campaigner over the past couple of weeks, including Prince William's visit to Deborah's family house to award her with her damehood over afternoon tea.
Deborah was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 35 in 2016, after experiencing symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, and passing blood.
She has spent the past five years documenting her treatment journey online, sharing details of her various surgeries and drug trials, whilst also raising funds and awareness for the illness.
On May 9, 2022, Deborah confirmed that her prognosis was terminal, revealing "my body simply isn’t playing ball" after exhausting every possible option. Despite "finding it harder and harder to engage" as her condition deteriorates, she is staying positive by "having lovely random chats with my fam" and keeping busy with her various projects.
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