Who is leaving a bequest
The Board of Trustees of the Foundation and the researchers we fund acknowledge with gratitude the thoughtful generosity of those who have remembered the Australian Cancer Research Foundation in their wills. You are helping us fund breakthrough research with the potential to change the world.
ACRF’s bequestors are exceptional individuals, giving a gift for the future of cancer research.
ACRF would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mr Kevin McCusker, and thank them for supporting his most generous bequest to cancer research this May. To honour this significant donation, a research grant awarded in 2010 to the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) will be named in Mr McCusker’s memory. His donation will thus leave a lasting legacy in his home state, though the provision of a world-class imaging hub for cancer diagnosis and management.
Mr McCusker’s family described him as a very quiet and unassuming man of strong principles and deep feelings. “This bequest has been made because people he loved had died from cancer and other underlying causes,” they said.
Florence Jane (‘Billie’) Anderson lived in Randwick in a beautiful sandstone terrace that had been owned
by her grandmother and then later her mother. She was a young girl during the war years
and by her own accounts (as told to friends Peter Grant and neighbours Jann and Maurizio Zappacosta) was a high-spirited character whose early photos bore an uncanny resemblance to Katherine Hepburn!!
Billie married for a second time late in her life; her first marriage had been a short and unhappy one. She adored her second husband but he died from a brain tumour and Billie remained alone. It was her husband’s illness that prompted her to support cancer research and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
When Billie moved to Charingfield Nursing Home, she made a powerful decision to bequeath her estate to cancer research.
An astute woman, Billie enjoyed life, laughter and fun. When she passed away at age 87, the main theme of the eulogy was her fierce determination to be independent and live life to the full.
Billie is remembered by former neighbor Peter Grant, as someone who will live on forever in the memories of many friends.
“Her significant bequest will help to further the fight against cancer,” he said.
Holly Smith is a cancer survivor.
It has been more than 20 years she was diagnosed but she has not forgotten – “Having cancer was one of the most powerful lessons of my life and I am truly grateful for the experience.”
Holly has a truly amazing outlook having personally battled with our society’s biggest killer. She is aware that we can collectively battle cancer with increased funding to research scientists and institutes dedicated to finding a cure and has generously provided for these researchers in her will.
Vale Peter Fisk. The management and staff of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation wish Claudia Fisk, and family, our sincerest condolences on the sad passing of husband Peter.
ACRF’s Planned Giving Coordinator, Jennifer Coffey, had the pleasure of meeting both Peter and Claudia at their beautiful home in picturesque Leura in the Blue Mountains recently to chat about their motivations for supporting cancer research and also including the Foundation in their will.
A wonderful supporter of cancer research, Peter had been battling cancer for a number of years, and we were very saddened to hear of his passing.
We thank and honour the individuals and familes, listed here, who have made a major difference to the research we fund through their bequests.
