"A legacy gift funded my PhD in drug discovery"
– Suzanne O'Connor
When Mrs Mair Robinson sadly passed away in 2015, she left the ICR £100,000 in her Will. With her legacy gift she established the Mair and Franklyn Robinson Research Scholarship, to support a young scientist.
Suzanne O'Connor, who joined the ICR in 2016, was the fortunate PhD student who benefitted from Mrs Robinson's generosity. Suzanne's research focused on discovering new ways of blocking the protein HSP70, which is known to help cancer cells survive. During her four years at the ICR, she was successful in finding a new site on the protein that could be targeted, which would ultimately lead to the cancer cells being killed.
Suzanne completed her PhD in 2020 and has since gone on to lead her own team of multidisciplinary scientists, working in the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation at the University of Dundee. There, she is collaborating with an international team focusing on drug discovery that will benefit paediatric cancer patients. She is hopeful that her work will result in the discovery of new drugs that are kinder and have fewer side effects for young people with cancer.
Suzanne says:
"The generosity of the ICR's donors is what helps cancer research to evolve. Legacy gifts mean the ICR can invest in training scientists like me who will lead cancer research into the future. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work alongside scientists who have years of drug discovery expertise. Learning from them was an invaluable part of my PhD.
"I am so grateful for the world-class training I received at the ICR, for the support of the experienced scientists I worked alongside and the cutting-edge equipment available to me.
"Mrs Robinson's incredible gift has not just been beneficial for me during the four years I spent at the ICR, but it is important in educating a new generation of scientists. The high-quality training I have received has set me up with vital skills which are enabling me to continue my valuable work in the area of drug discovery."
Like Mrs Robinson, you can also choose to support PhD students with a gift in your Will. This is a wonderful way to help the cancer researchers of tomorrow – and know you are making a lasting gift with limitless potential.
Why are legacies important to us?
Our dedicated team of 800 scientists and clinicians is on the front line of cancer research, working tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of this disease and develop ground-breaking therapies that can transform lives. Your support through legacy gifts is vital to our mission, helping us achieve breakthroughs that lead to better diagnoses and treatments for patients facing cancer.
By including a gift in your Will, you can make a profound impact. The incredible generosity of our legacy donors has already helped us:
Launch the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, which opened in 2021, where we’re tackling cancer's ability to evolve resistance to treatment and creating a new generation of life-saving drugs.
Invest in state-of-the-art equipment, allowing us to utilise the latest genetic sequencing technologies that are essential for cutting-edge research.
Fund PhD studentships like Suzanne's, nurturing the next generation of brilliant minds who will work towards defeating cancer.
We invite you to join the growing community of supporters who have chosen to leave a legacy that will change lives. Your gift can help us continue this vital work and bring hope to countless individuals and families affected by cancer. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
What is the Will for Free service?
We developed our Will for Free service partnering with local solicitors, to help provide long-term funding for our cancer research.
With this service, you can create or update your Will at no cost to you – we cover the expenses. We’d love you to consider leaving a gift in your Will to support our scientists, but it’s completely up to you. If you need a basic single or joint (mirror) Will, there won’t be any extra charges. For more complex situations, you can still use the service, but there might be additional costs, which your solicitor will let you know about during your initial meeting.
We offer multiple ways to access a free Will, so you can choose the most convenient option for you and we’re here to help you through the process and answer any questions you might have!
We have a database of solicitors who have partnered directly with us to offer free Will-writing services. You can enter your postcode and find information on participating solicitors near you. Please note that solicitors on our database are limited to those based in the south and east of England.
We understand that it might not be possible for everyone to visit a solicitor near them. If you would prefer to make your Will online, we have partnered with Make a Will Online to offer you the opportunity to create a simple Will digitally – at no cost to you. These Wills are checked by a qualified solicitor, providing you with an easy and reliable option to draft your Will and make sure you have provided for your loved ones.
Make A Will Online
We have partnered with the National Free Wills Network to give our supporters across the United Kingdom the opportunity to get a free Will by accessing a wider network of local solicitors. Just enter your details on this form, and you will receive a list of solicitors in your area through the post.
How can you reach us?
The best way to reach us is to email us on [email protected]. This enables us to provide detailed instructions in case you have questions, or easily follow-up with you. If you’d like to speak to us, please call +44 20 3437 7014 or +44 20 3437 6332.
If you have any questions or need assistance regarding leaving a gift in your Will, Nia and Marcia, our Legacy Marketing Officers, are here for you. They are dedicated to making the process as smooth and supportive as possible. Whether you're curious about the Will for Free service, want to discuss your options, or just need guidance, don't hesitate to get in touch.
