79-year-old Beryl Denton has three sons and eight grandchildren. She credits The Royal Marsden with ‘saving her life twice’, having been treated by the hospital for both breast and bladder cancer. Beryl and her husband Alan decided to leave a gift in their Will to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as a thank you for everything the hospital has done for their family and to help support future research.
Diagnosis and coming to The Royal Marsden
“In 1999 I had a routine breast check (mammogram) which is when they first discovered I had cancer.
“I asked my GP if I could be referred to The Royal Marsden. In only a few days I had my referral and within 2 weeks, I’d had my surgery done at The Royal Marsden under the care of Mr Gerald Gui. I felt so lucky to be under his care.
A second diagnosis
“After my breast surgery, I was absolutely fine for quite a few years but then around 2007 I started feeling unwell. After going to the doctors and having lots of tests, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer and referred to The Royal Marsden for a second time.
“I had chemotherapy treatment, under the care of Professor Woodhouse. I had this treatment for quite a few years to keep my cancer stable.
Christmas at The Royal Marsden
"In 2011 the news came that my cancer had spread to the walls of my bladder and Professor Woodhouse said he wanted to operate on me to take my bladder away, to prevent the cancer spreading even further. I stayed at The Royal Marsden from November right through to February. I was even in the hospital on Christmas Day! Professor Woodhouse came to see me on Christmas Day to see how I was – there were so many lovely little gestures from all of the teams at the hospital. It meant so much to me.
“I couldn’t have asked for better care the whole time I was in The Royal Marsden. I must have been there, as an inpatient after my surgery, for about two and a half months. I’ve been amazed at how kind everyone is every time I visit.
How Beryl is doing now
“I’m 79 years old now and because of the treatment I’ve had at The Royal Marsden, I’m still here to see all eight of my grandchildren being born! I really don’t think I’d be here without the hospital.
Beryl was back at The Royal Marsden again recently after suffering from some worrying symptoms. She underwent a minor procedure but luckily, no cancer was found.
“As soon as I walk into The Royal Marsden, the anxiety in my shoulders just drops as I know I’m in the best place. The teams always help me feel better; I’m forever grateful. Once again, I feel like The Royal Marsden have saved my life.”
Supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – leaving a gift in my Will
“My husband Alan and I had been sorting out our Will and I said I really wanted some of our money to be left to The Royal Marsden. We already give a donation to the Charity every month but I wanted to do more.
“I’m so grateful for the care I had at the hospital. I feel so lucky – this is why I wanted to leave money in my Will to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. I really didn’t think I was going to get through my last cancer diagnosis, and I have, and it’s all down to The Royal Marsden.
“All the research which has been done in the last few years is absolutely phenomenal really, things have changed so much. We know how much work is put into this at The Royal Marsden which is another reason I wanted to leave money in my Will – to help support future research."
Writing or updating your Will couldn’t be easier with our Free Will Service and by including a gift like Beryl has, you can make a vital difference to the lives of cancer patients long into the future. Find out more about writing your Will for free.