The chain of giving: How gifts in wills help support Macmillan’s vital work

Julie's story

Julie Scotter suspects a new year’s health resolution in 2021 may have helped save her life.

“After losing about a stone, I noticed a lump in my neck,” says Julie, 56, from Derby. “I wondered if it had been there all along, but I only spotted it when I lost some weight.”

A biopsy at Derby Hospital confirmed that the lump was secondary squamous cell carcinoma, meaning the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes from an unknown primary site.

“There’s been a lot of cancer in my family, so part of me was expecting the diagnosis,” she says. “When I was told the news, I simply said, ‘Okay then, what are we going to do about it?’”

Julie underwent surgery to remove the base of her tongue and tonsils, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During her treatment, she found support through the head and neck cancer forum on Macmillan’s online community, as well as the charity’s support line.

“People often don’t know what to say when you have cancer, so it really helps to find your tribe,” says Julie. “I also wanted to be able to talk about things other than cancer with my family and friends, and Macmillan helped me to do that.”

Now, four years on, Julie’s cancer is in remission, and she has raised £7,000 for Macmillan.

Gifts in Wills help fund over a third of Macmillan’s services. For example, a gift of just over £20,000, which is approximately 3% of the average UK charitable estate*, could help run our Online Community forum for 1 month.
  

Natasha's story

Nicky's story

One of the many ways in which Macmillan is unique is the support it provides for professionals working in cancer care, offering them access to specialist training and development. One such professional is Nicky Jones who, with the charity’s help, brings healthcare workers together to improve outcomes for immunotherapy patients.  

“I was previously working as a Macmillan skin cancer nurse but immunotherapy was an area that really interested me,” Jones says. “It’s a relatively new treatment that works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells, and it can lead to some quite challenging side effects. 

 “Working for Macmillan is a real source of pride; it’s synonymous with expertise and compassion, and having this new service in place means the patients I work with are now receiving more specialist care.” Jones works full-time as a clinical nurse specialist based at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, alongside studying for a master’s degree in advanced professional practice. She is also committed to spreading her knowledge to help others.  

“I was awarded an educational grant from Macmillan to help me run immunotherapy study days,” Jones explains. “Around 40 delegates attend each session to learn more about immunotherapy and how to better support their patients, as we help to address their worries and concerns as well as their symptoms. “There can be an assumption that Macmillan nurses are only there to offer support for the end of people’s lives, but the charity does so much more, including funding posts like mine – and they couldn’t do it without people’s generous donations, including gifts in wills. 

 “When I think about the number of people I’ve worked with over the past three years and the difference I’ve been able to make thanks to Macmillan, it really is phenomenal.” 

Carol's story

“He always said cancer wasn’t going to get him, and it didn’t”

When Carol Turansky’s husband Philip was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, she’d sadly already had first-hand experience of the disease. 

“I’d lived through breast cancer myself and was still having regular check-ups,” says Carol, 78. “But then Philip began finding it hard to swallow food, and he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. 

“Because of his age and heart condition, he couldn’t have surgery, so he had chemo and radiotherapy instead. It shrunk the tumour but didn’t get rid of it,” says Carol.

Philip was given up to a year to live, but two weeks after starting a second round of chemotherapy in November 2011, his heart gave out and he passed away, aged 78.

“He always said cancer wasn’t going to get him, and it didn’t,” says Carol. “Had he lived longer, he would have needed a feeding tube, which he’d have hated. In the end, he died peacefully, so it was a blessing in a way.”

After Philip’s death, Carol looked into doing voluntary work with Macmillan, which is when she discovered the wealth of support the charity makes available.

“At one point during his illness I asked Philip’s oncology nurse if I should contact Macmillan, and she said ‘Not yet’,” says Carol. 

“There’s an idea out there that Macmillan only supports cancer patients through end-of-life care, but when I did my training to volunteer with Macmillan, I found out they can help in so many ways – with information, support or just someone to talk to.” 

Now a Macmillan Buddy, Carol provides support, signposting and listening services to cancer patients over the phone, and is keen to let people know about the full scope of Macmillan’s work.

“Being able to help other people feels great, because I would have really appreciated that support when Philip was ill,” says Carol. 

And volunteering isn’t the only way she’s helping the charity: “I’ve used Macmillan’s Free Wills Service to leave them some money too,” she says. “It was done over Zoom and was so quick and easy. It will help people like Philip and their families get the support they need.” 

• Find out about the different ways you can leave a gift to Macmillan Cancer Support by ordering our free Gifts in Wills guide.
• If you already have a will, you may wish to update it after any major changes in your personal situation.
• Read the answers to frequently asked questions about leaving a gift in your will, including whether you need a solicitor and how much it may cost.
• See our glossary for explanations of common legal terms you are likely to encounter when writing or dealing with a will.

Find out more about how to leave a gift in your will to Macmillan.