Kelsey Parker has sent a touching message to Deborah James following the writer's devastating announcement that she is being moved to hospice care following her battle with bowel cancer.
Deborah, who was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, has been a vocal activist over the last number of years, taking people along with her on her cancer journey through her 'Bowel Babe' Instagram page, her weekly magazine columns, and her BBC podcast You, Me and the Big C.
Deborah's news comes not too long after the passing of Kelsey's husband and The Wanted singer Tom Parker, who had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in October 2020.
Advert
In a post to Instagram, Deborah wrote: "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. I know we have left no stone unturned. But even with all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough, my body just can’t continue anymore."
After sharing her news with supporters, Deborah encouraged people to consider donating the price of a drink to her new fundraiser, the Bowel Babe Fund, which would raise money and awareness for the charities that are closest to her, including Cancer Research UK, Bowel Cancer UK, and Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Advert
.png)
In less than 24 hours, her fund had collected of £1 million from friends, family, and fans all over the world.
Not long after the Bowel Babe Fund took off, Kelsey Parker took to her own Instagram to commend Deborah for the amazing movement she had created, and for the support she had given Tom before his passing.
Sharing a photo of Deborah's fund, she wrote: "Deborah you are an Earth Angel you've raised so much awareness and money you're a hero.
Advert
"Your courage is inspiring. You were a pillar of strength for my Tommy Boy always there with advice. I know you were both members of a club that you didn't wanna be in I wish we all could've met under different circumstances."
Kelsey then added a link to Deborah's Bowel Babe Fund, encouraging her own followers to contribute to the cause.
She concluded: "Like Tom... you've never let cancer define you and what a legacy you've created."
Advert
For more information and advice on bowel cancer, visit Bowel Cancer UK.
You can donate to the Bowel Babe fund here.
Ali Condon