Alison Torrens (67), from Portstewart, has left a gift in her will to Queen’s University Belfast to help fund a research project into adenoid cystic carcinoma, the cancer type that she has. Through the Northern Ireland Biobank, Alison has also donated her own surgical samples to be used anonymously in the research project. 

The research project at The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PGJCCR) at Queen’s, will explore why adenoid cystic carcinoma can become resistant to treatment and identify characteristics of the cancer cells that may allow for more targeted and effective treatment.

Alison said: “I was first diagnosed in 2016. In November 2022, another tumour was detected and they gave me only months to live. But by sending my cells and scans to experts on adenoid cystic carcinoma, they were able to provide radiation in December that gave me more months than I had anticipated – it gave me hope and a new lease of life.”

Ms Torrens said a motivating factor in choosing to donate to Queen’s in her will, was meeting two women who also had adenoid cystic carcinoma.

“They were both much younger than me. They were mothers of young children and tragically they’re not here now,” she said.

“For me, leaving a legacy has been very important and rewarding. I have no children but have met many who died broken-hearted knowing their children were left without their mother or father.

“I feel that research is key to saving lives and my hope is that by leaving a gift in my will to support cancer research and donating my cells to study, I could really help to achieve this; to make the incurable curable.”

She added: “The quality of care I have received from the NHS has been second-to-none. The most precious thing you can give anyone is time. Not only did my Consultants, Nurses and Radiologists give me their time and care, but they gave me life. To think that my gift could help discover something that could prolong somebody’s life, or even better, save someone’s life – then I will pass away a very happy woman because the best legacy I could give to anybody in this life, is life.”

News of Alison’s decision coincides with World Cancer Research Day, on September 24th.

Professor Dan Longley, Director of the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PGJCCR), said donations such as Alison’s are vital to the centre’s life-saving research.

“Approximately 50% of our research is supported by charitable donations and donations that people leave in their wills,” he said.

“One hundred percent of the donations to PGCJJR go directly to cancer research in Northern Ireland. These donations are an investment in the future of cancer research in Northern Ireland and a step closer to beating cancer locally and globally.”

Helen Carrick, Assistant Director (Philanthropy), at Queen’s said: “Queen’s aims to shape a better world through life-changing education and research. Philanthropy, such as legacy giving, plays a vital role in helping the University do that. And importantly, 100% of any gift left to Queen’s will go directly to the donor’s chosen cause. 

“Eighty-five percent of the income we receive through legacies is left by donors to support medical causes. This includes funding life-changing research into cancer, diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis, to develop better treatments and ultimately deliver better outcomes for patients.

“Regardless of size, each and every legacy gift is an investment in the future of education and research in Northern Ireland and beyond. We would like to sincerely thank all our supporters for their generous gifts and for their belief in what Queen’s can achieve with their support.”

To learn more about leaving a gift in your will visit go.qub.ac.uk/legacy-gifts or email l.carey@qub.ac.uk.