Family of Deborah James praise Princess Kate’s ‘bravery’ which they say ‘will save lives’ of cancer patients

DAME Deborah James’s parents today send their love to Princess Kate, praising her bravery and urging her to “hold on to rebellious hope”.

The family said they are certain her emotional statement would inspire many more people to get checked for cancer — and save lives.

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Heather, 66, and Alistair James, 68, told The Sun: “Kate, William and their family are in our thoughts, and we send all our love from our family to theirs.

“Deborah would be so proud. The Princess of Wales has shown incredible courage in speaking out so publicly about her treatment.

“It takes huge bravery to do so, but her bravery will help millions of cancer patients and their families face this horrible disease.

“What’s more, in being so open and honest, Kate will undoubtedly encourage many more people who are living with potential symptoms of cancer, to seek medical help. In doing so, she will save lives.”

Dame Debs survived five and a half years, until she died aged 40 in June 2022, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer.

Her parents added: “We know if Deborah were here to send Kate a message, she would tell the Princess of Wales to hold on to rebellious hope.

“Deborah was a firm believer in the power of hope, and given how many times she beat the odds to survive, rebellious hope became her mantra.

“We have no doubt her positive mindset helped her keep going, and gave us five years of precious memories together.”

Kate, 42, told the nation on Friday that tests conducted after she was admitted for abdominal surgery on January 16 revealed cancer had been present.

Deborah was just 35 when she was told the 6cm mass in her bowel was cancerous.

Like Kate, Deborah and her ­husband Seb had young children — Hugo, then nine, and Eloise, seven — and faced the horrible challenge of telling them the news.

In her first interview with The Sun in 2017, Deborah said: “We had to face telling the kids, your first instinct is to protect them.

"We didn’t want them to think about it, but actually the best thing was just to be open with them.”

Before her death, Deborah ­captured the hearts of the nation with her “Rebellious Hope” motto, as she spoke openly about her impending fate, and urged people to donate to her Bowelbabe Fund, raising an astonishing £7million in just seven weeks.

Wills was among those who praised Deborah’s strength and campaigning, and he was instrumental in helping to organise her damehood. 

He visited Deborah at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, in May 2022, to bestow the honour.

Heather told The Sun: “It was like having a friend over for tea.

“He was so kind and considerate, he was so relaxed and enjoyed the fact Deborah was ‘triple parked’ — she had a glass of champagne, wine and sherry lined up.

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“He took particular time and care to speak to Hugo and Eloise.

“As someone who lost his mum at a young age he was able to give them powerful advice that will stay with them for ever.

“We will never forget his kindness, and we hope he and Kate get the time and space they need to help their family through this.”

We will never forget his kindness, and we hope he and Kate get the time and space they need to help their family through this

Heather

Brave Kate also sent a message of support as part of her statement on Friday: “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer.

"For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”

Heather and Alistair added: “We hope Kate and William know they too are not alone.

"As a family that has had to face cancer together, we know all too well how overwhelmingly tough it can be.

“We want to send a special message to (Kate’s parents) Carole and Michael Middleton to let them know, we are thinking of them.

“We know what it feels like to be told your child has cancer.

“It’s heartbreaking to see your child face something so hard.

“As parents and grandparents, we would have done anything to take Deborah’s pain and that of her children away.

“As a family we pulled together as we know Kate’s will have too.”

Kate’s message has brought strength and support to thousands of families, charities told The Sun.

And it has triggered a rush of inquiries to cancer charity websites by people seeking information about signs and symptoms.

It mirrors the surge in traffic to the NHS website following the King’s revelation last month that he is being treated for the disease.

As a family we pulled together as we know Kate’s will have too

Heather and Alistair

Visits to the NHS advice page jumped 51 per cent in the 24 hours after Charles’s announcement, soaring to 14,668 compared to a daily average of 9,737 the week before.

Dr Ian Walker, from Cancer Research UK, said: “High-profile cancer cases, like the King and the Princess, can act as a prompt to encourage people to find out more and think about their own health.”

Gemma Peters, of Macmillan Cancer Support, also applauded Kate. She said: “In sharing her news the Princess of Wales will be helping to encourage others who have concerns, to visit their GP and seek support.”

Cases are rising as Britain’s population ages, with Cancer Research UK expecting to see around half a million a year by 2040.

But Dr Walker said there had been a doubling of cancer survival in the UK over the past 50 years.

He added: “Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is a personal journey. It is important for people to take their time and think about how they want to talk with their family and friends about it.”

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