'Cancer has run through my family like a stick of rock' – why one supporter is leaving a gift in her will

Lowri Griffiths explains why...

“I was inspired to leave a gift in my Will for Tenovus Cancer Care for two reasons. One is that I have cancer running through my family like a stick of rock, we seem to lunge from one diagnosis to another. Three of my grandparents all died from cancer over the space of four years during my teens and it had a profound effect on me.

“Twelve years ago, I had the opportunity to work for a cancer charity. I've since worked for four different charities and have settled at Tenovus Cancer Care. I could have chosen any one of the other charities I worked for to leave a gift to, but I didn't feel inspired to do so - not because they don't do a good job, they do - but because they are rich charities and income floods in.

As a staff member, working in support, policy and Insight, I feel close to the cause having regular contact with people affected by this terrible disease. This means I never lose sight of why I go to work each day. I may leave Tenovus one day and choose to leave a legacy to another organisation as well, but I will always think fondly of my time at the charity and the work it does to improve the lives of so many people across Wales.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Wales, and a stark deprivation gap exists with five-year survival rates at 13 per cent lower for those living in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. 

The work at Tenovus Cancer Care is centred on community-focused work providing welfare benefits advice, Counselling, Mobile Support Units and the charity’s Sing with Us Choirs, and our retail shops, giving so much support in an holistic way, so that no one should face cancer alone. 

As well as the support given to patients and their families, the charity holds the Welsh Government and senior NHS leaders to account through its public policy work, addressing issues such as less survivable cancers, cancer inequalities, and amplifying the voices of people affected by cancer and driving tangible change.

Everyone should have a fair chance at a healthy life, regardless of their background or where they live.