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Deborah James at a charity event in 2019
Photo:
David M. Benett / Dave Benett/Getty Images
She is seriously ill – and wants to help others: Deborah James raised more than four million pounds for a cancer aid organization within a few days with a fundraiser.
This selflessness of the BBC presenter, who is terminally ill with colon cancer, apparently also impressed Queen Elizabeth II.
The 96-year-old British Queen knighted James.
The British government announced that the monarch had appointed the 40-year-old lady.
The donations collected by James will benefit cancer research.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Queen's grandson Prince William and his wife Duchess Kate, who also donated to the "Bowelbabe Fund", acknowledged the commitment of the mother of two.
Johnson: "Inspiration and sign of strength for many people"
"If ever an honor was deserved, this is it," said Johnson.
»Deborah is an inspiration and her honesty, warmth and courage are a sign of strength for many people.«
It is rare for the Queen to make someone a Dame or a Knight on short notice.
Honors are usually announced at set times.
The "Birthday Honors" in honor of the Queen's birthday are planned for early June.
James was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
Since then, she has kept her more than 500,000 followers on Instagram up to date on treatments and the progression of the disease.
On Monday she made it public that she did not have long to live and had moved to her parents' house to die.
James told the BBC she wanted to spend as much time as possible with her family.
This is the place "where I always wanted to die".
At the same time, she launched the donation campaign called the "Bowelbabe Fund" - after the English term "bowel cancer" for colon cancer.
She said, "Ultimately, I don't want any other Deborahs to go through this."
apr/dpa
