Your guide to leaving a gift in your will Your gift could make sure everyone affected by lymphatic cancer gets the right support and information they need, when they need it – for years to come. Supporting people affected by lymphatic cancer ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “what are you doing for others?’’’ Martin Luther King Jr For many of us, our will is the chance to look after our family and friends once we have gone, to leave something behind that helps the people we love. But leaving a gift in our will also gives us an incredible and enduring opportunity to help others we may never even know. Beyond our own lifetimes and in ways that can truly change lives for the better. ‘The Lymphoma Association is a very worthwhile organisation’. ‘I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1983 when there was no Lymphoma Association, so very little in the way of information, comfort or support. Thankfully we all got through this worrying time. But when I look at the variety of support which the Lymphoma Association provides today for patients, their families and friends I am so pleased that anyone who is in a similar position has access to such comprehensive and accurate information about lymphatic cancers and most importantly a friendly voice to talk to at a worrying and confusing time. The Lymphoma Association is a very worthwhile organisation and one which my wife and I have been delighted to support and are very happy to support in the future – even after our deaths. With this in mind we have been keen to create a legacy in favour of the Association.’ Graham, supporter since 2002 People with lymphoma, their families and their friends – all are our priority. As the NHS continues to change and evolve, we can expect lymphoma treatment and management to move on beyond what we know now. Our commitment to the people we exist to help means we must continually listen to them and to health professionals about what more we can do and how else we can help. One of the Lymphoma Association’s major strengths has been the ability to look ahead to understand the potential future needs of patients and their families and friends, and to try to seize the opportunities that lie ahead to improve the lives of those affected by lymphoma. We have achieved a lot over the past three decades but we know there is much more we can and need to do in the future. ‘Even to this day, nothing compares with being given a cancer diagnosis. It was the worst day of my life. On a Google search that same day, I found the Lymphoma Association and I honestly don’t know what I would have done without them.’ Lynn In our 30 year history, the Lymphoma Association has put people affected by lymphatic cancer at the heart of everything we do. We began life in the dining room of a patient, Tim Hilder, who had the vision and drive to start up the Hodgkin’s Disease Association for people like him who couldn’t get the support and information they needed about their illness. Today, our mission remains a simple one: to provide information and support to those affected by lymphoma and to give them a voice. We’ve made a commitment to vigorously pursue ways in which we can support people suffering because of lymphoma, and by leaving a gift in your will you can make that commitment too. ‘Together we can make a world where cancer no longer means living with fear, without hope, or worse.’ Patrick Swayze Knowledge empowers people and gives them more confidence to deal with their illness. The Lymphoma Association provides a highly specialised range of services to help the 75,000 people in the UK with lymphoma, their families and friends. Our helpline team responds to approximately 7,000 calls and emails every year from people who are often devastated and confused by their own or a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. We send tens of thousands of information booklets to patients, carers and to cancer centres across the UK. Our helpline These original services of providing team responds to information and support to lymphoma approximately 7,000 patients were the vision of our founder calls and emails Tim Hilder and his wife, Felicity. But every year thanks to our supporters, our work has changed and grown significantly since those early days in the Hilder’s dining room. Today these highly regarded and professional services continue to help people with lymphoma and those who love and support them. What we do: •Provide a telephone helpline and live chat over the website for people who have been recently diagnosed, or anyone who is worried or has questions about lymphoma. •The Lymphoma Association buddy scheme provides a vital link for people affected by lymphoma with someone who has been through a similar experience. •Provide a comprehensive range of patient information on lymphoma-related topics. Our patient information has won numerous awards and is accredited by the Department of Health’s Information Standard. •Run an annual Lymphatic Cancer Awareness Week to raise the profile of lymphoma on a national level, and to help us advocate for lymphoma patients and their needs. •Because lymphoma is the most common cancer in the under 30s, we run our PITS (Persistent lumps, Itching, Tiredness and Sweating) campaign for young people. We attend approximately 10 university freshers’ fairs each autumn. •Provide an online training resource for GPs in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, enabling them to have access to specialised information on lymphoma diagnosis and treatment. The aim? To help patients get earlier diagnoses. •Train doctors and nurses through the provision of masterclasses, study days and conferences. •Run regional information events for people affected by lymphoma, so that people can more easily access the latest information and research on lymphoma management and treatment. •Provide our ‘Live Your Life’ well-being programme, delivered by nurses and online, for people after treatment has finished. It is designed to help people feel less isolated, look to the future and improve their quality of life. But it’s not just about what we already do. Our future plans will always be influenced by what is happening in the lymphoma world. Whether that is the development of new drugs or other treatments, or the services provided - or cut - by national and local health service providers. The needs of people ‘Things don’t have to change the world to be important.’ Steve Jobs affected by lymphatic cancer will change over time and often because of things that are outside their control. With that in mind, we must continue to be agile and responsive to the changing climate in which we work so that we can support the people who depend on our services in the most effective ways possible. We will continue to look outwards, to identify needs and to make sure people are getting the very best support and care they can. We know there are gaps and we will look to develop new services over the next few years, including the provision of personalised online information and a counselling service. By leaving us a gift in your will, this can be your legacy too. ‘I’ve been working with the Lymphoma Association since 2006 when the clinical nurse specialist service was set up thanks to the Lymphoma Association helping to fund my role. I’ve seen the clinic grow in size and now our team has two fulltime and one part-time clinical nurse specialists. Our patient numbers coming through clinic can be up to 100 per week, from 30 nine years ago.’ Micaela and her colleagues see patients every day who have battled with their illness and who simply couldn’t have coped without the support of the Association. ‘We’re there when people receive their diagnosis and provide support from there on. People are often stunned and forget to ask questions of their doctor during consultation. I always mention the Lymphoma Association to people as the written information they provide is such high quality. I use it every day. I also encourage people to access their buddy scheme which is a great service. Knowing someone has been through the same thing can be invaluable for patients.’ Micaela and her colleagues have an absolutely vital role in giving patients the support, hope and encouragement they need to continue on what is a very frightening and emotional journey. ‘We have the time to talk with people. We often get the hard questions after people have had a consultation with their doctor; “How long have I got?”, “How will I die?”, As a small organisation, every legacy to the Lymphoma Association really does make a difference. £500 could pay For example, just £500 could for ten nurses to pay for ten nurses to attend one attend one of our of our study days. £5,000 could study days pay for 25 patients to attend a ‘Live Your Life’ course following their treatment. Larger gifts have the potential to fund new areas of work like a counselling service or more training for doctors and nurses. No matter the size, leaving a gift in your will is a great way to support us. It costs nothing during your lifetime, yet it represents a tangible commitment to the future of the people who need us. And the fact is we rely on legacies. At times they’ve accounted for almost a third of our income and have even saved our services from being cut. You may think that once you’ve made provision for your family and friends there won’t be anything of value left, Micaela Plucinski is a lymphoma clinical nurse specialist at UCLH. She provides expert knowledge and support for patients. “How do I tell my children?” As a clinical nurse specialist I aim to be one step ahead of the patient, preparing them for each stage. If I’ve made their journey a little easier I feel I’ve done my job well. I always make a point of directing people to the Lymphoma Association, particularly if there’s something specific I know they do that the patient would find helpful. For instance, if someone is feeling isolated I will mention the support groups and the buddy scheme. Many people look at my badge and a conversation starts about the charity. Lots say things like “Sue on the helpline was so supportive”. Your legacy will help fund more services that give hope and support to patients and their families”. ‘If we always helped one another, no one would need luck.’ Sophocles but even a very small percentage of what’s left can go a long way to helping people with lymphoma and their loved ones cope with the illness. We know that your will is your own private matter. But if you’re able to include us after taking care of your family and friends, you’ll help empower people facing lymphoma in the future to face it with more confidence, strength and knowledge. Making a will needn’t be difficult or daunting, and making that decision to include us in it will help literally thousands of people affected by lymphoma in years to come. Why make a will? 1. Your will is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It is the only way you decide who will inherit your assets and can also minimise the impact of inheritance tax. Without one, the law will decide who will benefit after your death, and this may not be in line with your wishes. 2. If you have young children, the only way to ensure they would be looked after by people you would choose in the event of the death of both their parents, is to specify this in your will. 3. It needn’t be complicated or costly. A basic will can be written in about an hour. It is advisable to seek professional guidance from a solicitor. You can do a search for solicitors in your area on the Remember A Charity website www.rememberacharity.org.uk/ making-a-will or contact The Law Society www.thelawsociety.org.uk. 4. Almost 60%* of people in the UK regularly support charities. But only a little over 14%** leave a gift to charitable causes in their will. If we all left a small gift to charity after loved ones had been taken care of, the potential for charitable work would be enormous. In fact just a 4% increase would generate around £80million extra for good causes in the UK every year – that’s the equivalent of a Comic Relief and a Children in Need campaign added together.*** Source: CAF’s ‘UK Giving 2012/13 – an update…’ Source: Remember a Charity’s Strategic Plan 2014 – 2018 *** Source: Remember a Charity’s Strategic Plan 2014 – 2018 states that £2billion is generated in the UK each year from gifts in wills. 4% of this equals £80million. In 2014 Children in Need raised £32.6m (source BBC entertainments news) and Comic Relief raised £51.2m (source www.comicrelief.com). * ** ‘All of the services that the Lymphoma Association provides for patients and their family and friends are essential. Each person is treated as an individual and they understand that everyone needs different types of support and help – this is what makes them so special.’ Rachel Reasons to leave a legacy to the Lymphoma Association. It’s quite simple. Gifts in wills mean we can continue to help people affected by lymphoma now and in We will spend the future. They can account for a your money wisely large percentage of our income and and only on our there are times in the past where charitable without them, we would have had activities to cut our services. We receive no government funding and so rely on our supporters and their generosity. 1. We’re a small charity and any legacy, whatever the size, will have an impact on our work. 2. We are a specialist organisation and the UK’s only charity solely dedicated to those affected by lymphoma. If lymphoma has affected your life, our services can provide those similarly affected in the future with the support and information they need. 3. We will respect your wishes both during your lifetime and after you have died. 4. It’s quick and easy. Once you’ve made the decision to include us in your will it takes a moment to do so. We love that people are willing to do incredible things for us; run marathons, jump out of planes and even cycle from one country to another to raise funds vital for our work. But if that’s not your thing – or even if it is – you could leave us a small gift in your will which will be just as effective, without having to leave the comfort of your armchair. Our promise to you If you decide to do something amazing and leave us a gift in your will, we want you to know that: 1. We understand that you’ll want to take care of your loved ones first. 2. Your gift really will make a difference – it costs just £22 to answer a helpline call and undertake any follow-up the caller might need. £70 will train and support a buddy for one year. Even a modest gift will help someone who is struggling with a lymphoma diagnosis. 3. Your gift will ensure we can go on answering the phones and training our volunteers and health professionals. 4. You don’t have to tell us that you’ve decided to include us in your will, but if you do we can make sure we don’t ask you again. 5. Even if you’ve already made your will, you can still include us in it by attaching a codicil. This is just a note to show an amendment to your existing will to include whomever you choose, meaning you can keep it up-to-date. 6. You can change your mind. It’s your will, and you can change it at any time. It’s always your decision. Until there is a cure for lymphoma, the need for our services will continue to exist. If you are able to consider leaving a legacy to the Lymphoma Association, it will be very much appreciated. Thank you. ‘No one has ever become poor by giving.’ Anne Frank Lymphoma Association, PO BOX 386, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2GA Legacies 01296 619419 www.lymphomas.org.uk/legacies Registered charity no 1068395
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