Page 6 - Inspire Autumn/Winter Edition 2017

A Will to Help

A Will to Help

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, Jean
Duckworth devoted her time and energy to
supporting our work, appreciating first hand the
importance of lung cancer research, and patient
information and care.

So much so that she left us a gift in her Will.
Her friends, Gill and Sue, described why leaving
a legacy was so important to Jean:

Jean Duckworth was a woman whose determination
knew no bounds. When she set her mind to something,
she did it. Not only did Jean hold an HGV licence, she
also had a pilot’s licence. In fact, it was while she was
flying in Portugal that she met her future husband, David.
They came back to Worsley, Jean’s childhood home, to
get married before both taking jobs to teach flying at
Barton Airport. Jean and husband David celebrating Christmas
Jean passed away on 26th March 2008. Even after her
“I have lung cancer.” death, Jean’s support for the Foundation continued. In

Jean was very forthcoming about her lung cancer lieu of flowers at her funeral, she asked for donations to
diagnosis, telling her close friends immediately, and be made to us.
became involved with Roy Castle Lung Cancer
Foundation soon after. Gill recalls when Jean visited But her generosity did not stop there. So strong was her
our head office: desire to support our ongoing work into lung cancer
research and the care of patients that, within her Will,
“ Jean was so grateful to she had left the charity a legacy.

the charity for their moral support
and was extremely keen This could help us fund an entire research project for a
year, provide patient grants to hundreds of people living
to fundraise for them. with the disease or fund several prevention projects in

Jean knew a great many people schools and colleges.
and we were all aware of Gill thinks Jean would be happy with that:
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
and the help and support “ She never stopped talking
they gave her. ” about the work they did

Jean continued to support the charity throughout her and her passion for what
was being achieved.
illness. She became an advocate for us, featuring in our
patient literature and this magazine. She wanted to be a part of it. ”

As she neared her 60th birthday, Jean’s condition Leaving a gift to Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
deteriorated and she became very ill. Knowing her dream means we can fund vital research into lung cancer and
was to go to New York, David wrote to the Waldorf provide emotional, practical and financial support to
Astoria and explained their situation. those living with this awful disease.

He asked if they could have a room with good views of We are striving for a world where nobody dies of lung
the city in case she wasn’t well enough to go out on any cancer. Jean shared that vision and did what she could to
day. The hotel upgraded them to one of their top suites make it happen. What an incredible legacy to leave.
with all-round views at no extra cost.

6 Inspire 2017