Leaving a lasting memory and saving lives in the process

 

I first got involved after my good friend John tragically died from bowel cancer at the age of 48.  I was shocked that bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, yet awareness was (and remains) so low. I was determined to do something about it, especially in Wales, as I was living in Cardiff at the time. Back in 2004, Wales had not introduced a bowel screening programme, so I campaigned at the Welsh Assembly for its introduction, which finally came about in 2008. Over the past ten years the bowel screening programme in Wales is estimated to have saved hundreds of lives, which makes me feel very honoured to have been involved.

 

Through my campaigning, I developed a good relationship with the Welsh Assembly over the years, especially the AM Glyn Davies who had himself been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2002. Glyn made a full recovery and in 2006 founded the National Assembly Rugby team, choosing to fundraise for Bowel Cancer UK. I have been closely involved with running the fundraising and supporting the Welsh Assembly rugby team and am so proud that we have managed to raise over £20,000 over the past 12 years. 

 

 

I have really enjoyed supporting Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer and raising awareness of such a horrible disease. I would really like the good work I have supported in my lifetime to continue when I am no longer here. This is why I have decided to leave a Gift in My Will to the charity. Legacies are a hugely important way of supporting charities but people are often uncomfortable talking about them. 

 

Over £2 billion is left to good causes every year and it is an increasingly common way to donate. Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer is now the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity and I know my legacy will be carefully used to not only support those affected but also prevent others from dying needlessly. I have seen the charity develop over the past 14 years and really want to be able help them in the future. It is also a wonderful way of remembering John. If you are interested in leaving a Gift in your Will, it is really quite straightforward and there’s lots of information available. If you are able to leave a Gift in your Will, it will bring us another step closer to ensuring no one dies of bowel cancer by 2050.