A mum-of-two was devastated to receive a life-threatening diagnosis after spending years blaming her bowel issues on irritable bowel syndrome.
Gemma Crossley had long believed she was suffering with irritable bowel syndrome. But it wasn't until she saw a social media post by Dame Deborah James that she went to her GP to get her painful symptoms, including worrying bleeding, checked out.
Deborah James was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35. Known online as 'bowelbabe', she was a tireless campaigner and fundraiser, sharing her cancer experience with unflinching honesty and tackling many taboos - including encouraging everyone to ‘check their poo.’
It was reading one of Deborah James’ social media posts that prompted receptionist Gemma to go to see her GP to get her own symptoms checked out. Gemma, 41, of Golborne, said: “If it wasn’t for Debs, I’m not sure when I would’ve been diagnosed.
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“I’d spent years with bowel issues, which I’d always put down to irritable bowel syndrome. I had never thought it was cancer.
"Then a post from Deb was a real red flag for me. So, I went back to the GP as the pain was getting worse and I had noticed some bleeding. It was then that they found a lump, and I was referred straight away.
"I owe Debs so much for that post."
Gemma was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2020. She underwent five weeks of radiotherapy at The Christie in Manchester, followed by four rounds of chemotherapy and extensive surgery at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan - which left her with a permanent colostomy bag.
Gemma underwent gruelling cancer treatment at an immensely difficult time as the Covid-19 pandemic took over the world.
“It was an awful and isolating time for me going through it all during Covid," she explained. "My husband, Andrew, couldn’t come to anything with me.
"He had to stay outside while I had chemo, and he couldn’t visit during my stay in hospital for the surgery. I was all by myself, it was dreadful, but I’m alive.
“Bowel cancer can affect anyone. Get to know what’s normal for you, and if you’re worried about changes, speak to your GP. I had stage three lower rectal cancer and I had no idea. So getting checked might just save your life.”
By July 2021, doctors told Gemma there was no sign of cancer, and - not slowed down by her recovery - that autumn she took part in her first Race for Life. Gemma, who is mum to Jack, 16, and Mia, 15, said: “Race for Life is such a great cause.
“The money helps so many people. By contributing to the research that’s being done now, we can help improve the future.
"If people hadn’t donated to Race for Life in previous years, I might not have had the treatment that I had to save my life. By taking part, you can help the scientists develop more treatments and have fun at the same time.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. This year, people are being offered the opportunity to sign up to Race for Life for 'bowelbabe' and take part in their local Race for Life event in memory of Dame Deborah James.
This year, inspirational Gemma has been chosen to sound the horn to start Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. It will be an emotional moment when she stands on the start line of the event at Haydock Park Racecourse, as it will mark the milestone of her being two years clear of bowel cancer.
But it will also be a time for reflection as Gemma remembers Dame Deborah James, the woman who helped save her life.
In her final weeks, fuelled by her spirit of ‘rebellious hope’ and passion to help others, Deborah worked to establish the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK. When Deborah died on June 28, 2022, the fund had raised nearly £7m. Today, the Bowelbabe fund has reached a staggering £11.3m.
All the money raised through Race for Life for Bowelbabe will go to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, which supports projects and causes Deborah was passionate about, including funding cutting-edge research into early detection and personalised medicine, raising awareness of signs and symptoms, and tackling the stigmas around cancer.
More than 1,000 people are set to take part in this year’s Race for Life at Haydock Park Racecourse on July 2, where Gemma will be cheering participants on. Every year around 41,900 people are diagnosed with cancer in the north west - and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.
Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives.
The first Race for Life event was held in Battersea, London in 1994, where 750 participants raised £48,000. It was so successful that the following year, the race was extended to six venues across the UK.
Today, around 450 Race for Life events are held every year, and since it began more than £940m has been raised to fund life-saving research. Race for Life is today open to everyone, no matter their fitness level, background or gender.
Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: “We are grateful to Gemma for her support. We’d love for as many people as possible across the region to join us during our 30th year of Race for Life. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way.
“We want to make sure that everyone can join the Race for Life movement. Our participants come from different backgrounds, with different stories, but with one thing in common - the determination to help beat cancer.
"Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life.
“We’ve seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years thanks to the tireless efforts of researchers, but this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country. Together we can bring about a future free from the fear of cancer. So we’re asking people across the region: Who will you Race for?”
To enter, visit raceforlife.org
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