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Dame Mary Archer, chair of the Science Museum Group, has paid tribute to cancer awareness campaigner Dame Deborah James, who passed away in June
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 01 Jul 2022
Dame Deborah James was awarded a Science Museum Group Fellowship earlier this year Credit: Science Museum Group/Eleanore Bental
Science Museum Group (SMG) chair Dame Mary Archer has paid tribute to cancer awareness campaigner Dame Deborah James, who passed away from late-stage bowel cancer in late June.
James, who raised millions of pounds for Cancer Research UK in the months leading to her death, served on the advisory board for the SMG’s Cancer Revolution exhibition, which shares the stories of those who have been affected by the disease.
She also donated her famous poo costume, which she wore repeatedly on her social media channels, to the exhibition, which will go on display alongside a video of James.
“Through this exhibition we can open up the conversation of cancer even more – throw down the veil and educate a new generation to know that prevention is key, science is wonderful, and always to have hope,” James said.
Earlier this year, the SMG honoured James with a Science Museum Group Fellowship, “in recognition of tireless work on social media, along with blogs and articles, which has spread positivity and awareness about cancer research, treatments and the experience of patients, and has highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and research to a wider audience.”
“We’re all deeply saddened by the death of Dame Deborah James,” said Archer.
“My colleagues across the SMG feel enormously proud to have worked with Deborah on the Cancer Revolution exhibition, currently open at the Science Museum.
“Deborah’s energy, her bravery and the frank way she discussed cancer has saved lives by raising awareness, raised millions of pounds for research into cancer and bridged the gap between clinical research and the public.
“We want to celebrate Deborah’s dedication to helping us create a frank but hopeful exhibition by challenging our assumptions about what it’s truly like to live with cancer and pushing us to represent the diverse experiences for cancer patients.
“We have lost our most distinctive Science Museum Group Fello but we feel fortunate to be able to continue the work she cared so deeply about through an exhibition that encourages visitors to have conversations about cancer that they may never have been able to before.”
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