A gift in your will can help do more

Life changed dramatically for Graham in 2024 when following check ups after a fall on a skiing trip, he was diagnosed with myeloma. Going from being an active sportsman to the low energy that treatment cycles bring has been a big change. But Graham feels the support that he has received, and continues to receive, from Myeloma UK is invaluable. When Graham got married last year, it just made sense to him and his wife Karen, to leave a gift in their wills to the charity that meant the most to them. They used the Myeloma UK free will writing service.

“When I got married, I needed to rewrite my will. There is no obligation to leave a gift to Myeloma UK if you use their free will writing service. But after making sure my family were looked after, it was obvious to me that if I was going to rewrite my will, why would I not leave a gift to the charity that is closest to me – Myeloma UK.”

Graham’s story

Graham is a 63-year-old devoted grandad, who retired from working in the City of London 6 years ago.

Two years ago, when Graham was on a skiing trip he slipped on some ice while unpacking the car. Still in pain, on his return to the UK he went for an x-ray and an MRI which revealed he has myeloma. The doctors told him that if his myeloma had gone undiagnosed for any longer, they don’t know how long he would have had to live, maybe a matter of weeks.

Graham had a six-month period of chemotherapy and in August last year he had a stem cell transplant. Graham is thankfully in remission. His life is now tailored around his drug cycle, which greatly affects his energy levels. But Graham and Karen are gradually adapting.

Feeling supported by Myeloma UK

When Graham was diagnosed, his consultant at Bromfield hospital gave him a Myeloma UK leaflet. From there he has used the Myeloma UK online services and Patient Information. Graham wants to make sure others can access the same information and feels one of the best ways he can do this is by leaving a gift in his will:

“Myeloma UK provides easy to access information that would not be there without this wonderful charity. This work has to carry on and to reach more people, especially newly diagnosed patients. Think about how you have benefited. What Myeloma UK is doing is great. Your gift in will can help them do more!”

Using the free will writing service

Graham and Karen found using the Myeloma UK free will writing service, provided by The National Free Wills Network very straight forward:

“I saw some information about the free will writing service at Myeloma UK and thought I may as well make use of it. It was as simple as it could be leaving a gift in my will. The solicitor was within 5 miles from where we live and we got an appointment within a week. It was really helpful sitting with a solicitor and getting free advice.”

Graham and Karen know that their gifts in their wills are going towards a future where myeloma is not just treatable, but curable. And where no one will face myeloma alone.

Join Graham and leave a gift in your will to join the journey to cure myeloma.

We would like to thank Graham and Karen for pledging a gift in their wills to Myeloma UK. We would also like to thank Graham for kindly sharing his story.

If you would like to discuss our free will writing service or how to leave a gift in your will to Myeloma UK, please contact Faith in the Gifts in Wills Team by calling 0131 230 0429 or by emailing giftsinwills@myeloma.org.uk.

To request a free will writing information pack directly, please visit https://mynetworkportal.org/myelomauk or download our free Gifts in Wills Guide