'If you were here today you would have been so proud': Dame Deborah James's family shares touching tribute to late cancer campaigner four years after her death

By ELMIRA TANATAROVA, ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR Dame Deborah James's parents have shared a touching tribute to the late cancer campaigner, four years after her death. The former deputy head teacher died at the age of 40 on June 28, 2022, after leading a phenomenal campaign to raise money for bowel cancer treatment. Her famous 'Bowelbabe' fund – which surpassed £1million in less than 24 hours and has since raised a staggering £21million – was commended by the royals and health organisations. The campaigner also hosted the podcast You, Me And The Big C, and shared her health journey online under the name Bowelbabe. After being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 when she was 35, Dame Deborah became an online sensation, thanks to her social media content which showed her dancing her way through chemotherapy and living with 'rebellious hope'. 'Today is the 4th anniversary of Deborah’s death and there are still many moments when it is so difficult to believe she is no longer with us,' her mother Heather and father Alistair shared in an Instagram post on Saturday. Dame Deborah James's parents have shared a touching tribute to the late cancer campaigner, four years after her death 'Today is the 4th anniversary of Deborah’s death and there are still many moments when it is so difficult to believe she is no longer with us,' her mother Heather, pictured with her daughter at Wimbledon, shared in an Instagram post  According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.   Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Most cases have no clear cause, and can be at any age, however, people are more at risk if they:  Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages.  'Her immense enthusiasm and enjoyment of life will never be forgotten, but there are still so many times when I look up expecting that beautiful smile to appear round the corner full of her latest challenge and adventures for the family.' In the emotional statement, her parents said that if Deborah was here today she 'would have been so proud and honoured by what has been achieved in her name and the impact she continues to make'. They added: 'You are loved, cherished and remembered by so many for the effect you had on so many lives and the legacy you leave behind.  'The amazing support for the Bowelbabe Fund which she launched in her final weeks is incredible and in the last few months we have been able to celebrate £20m being raised – what a testament to our inspirational and beautiful daughter. 'We will always love and miss you and you will never be forgotten. Heather and Alistair also shared a photo of their smiling daughter, beaming at the camera.  Dame Deborah's death was announced on Instagram in 2022, in a post that revealed she had been surrounded by her family after months of end of life care at her parents' house in Surrey. In a poignant message to her followers, it said that Dame Deborah's final message to them was: 'Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.' It was was accompanied by the always glamourous teacher-turned-broadcaster dancing on a balcony on holiday as the sun set behind her, as friends described her as a 'warrior' who 'taught us how to live and taught us how to die'. Tributes came in from all over the world including messages from the Prince and Princess of Wales. In an X post signed 'W&C', the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: 'We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones. Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'.  Elsewhere, Boris Johnson said: 'What an inspiration she was to so many. The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved.’ And cancer survivors thanked her for saving them. Teresa Whitfield was watching breakfast TV when she heard Dame Deborah describing her symptoms, which inspired Teresa to go to her GP immediately. She said at the time: 'Without her campaigning I wouldn't have kept going back to me GP. She triggered something in me. And I'm now cancer free. She did save my life. I can only say thank you. Without her I don't think I would be here today'. Many shared her final podcast from the month prior to her death, where she signed off in tears, saying: 'I suppose that's it from me. I'm pleased that I have got to the point where I can say it and we'll see each other again, somewhere, dancing. 'And until then, please please enjoy life because it is so precious. All I want now is more time and more life. And check your poo. Come on. I can't leave on any other words'.  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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