Michael’s gift to future generations

“Many drops make an ocean” – Michael hopes many more people consider leaving a gift in their Will to cancer research because he knows that together, we can create an ocean of difference and a world without cancer. 

I was 9 or 10 when my cousin, Pui Fun passed away from leukemia. She was 7. We sort of grew up and played together in the extended Chinese family in those days. Any sort of serious illness was pretty much not talked about with the children.

Something seemed amiss when at our family gatherings at our grandparents’ place, she and her siblings were missing. Our family gatherings happened almost every weekend when my aunts and uncles would all bring their children – there would be at least 5 to 8 of us.

The adults would chat, play mahjong, prepare food and mill around. The children would all play together in various groups or as a large group. My cousin had a younger sister (about 3 years younger) and a baby brother. As I was the eldest, I’m usually tasked with looking after the younger children. 

One weekend we were just told that she’d been ill and had passed away. We went to the funeral wake and I remember that it was quiet and sombre. Uncle and Auntie had red swollen eyes, signs they had been crying. I was allowed to view Pui Fun’s body. It was surreal and I couldn’t feel any emotion at all – just dumbstruck that she was no longer going to come to the family gatherings. I was told that she passed from cancer of the blood. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, just that it sounded so serious and terminal. That was my first experience of a young person’s death. 

That was more than 40 years ago and my memory of her remains vivid as she’s always the giggly little girl and I was her older “brother”.  

When it came time to write my Will and I had the opportunity to leave a gift that would have a lasting impact, I decided to include ACRF to help fund more vital cancer research. I believe that finding better treatments for cancer will one day prevent other children from losing their playmates, their siblings, and the people they love. It’s just something small I could do and it may even help my own family or future generations one day.

I liked the idea of being able to contribute in the way that “many drops make an ocean”, and I do hope many more people consider leaving a gift in Will to cancer research – collectively we can create the ocean of difference to create a world without cancer.

ACRF has partnered with Safewill, Australia’s leading online Will writing platform, to give you the opportunity to create a bespoke Will from the comfort of your home. Take up this FREE online Will offer today. Offer limited to 50 Wills, ends 30 September 2023.

If you would like guidance on how to leave a gift in your Will to ACRF, our planned giving team can support you. Call 1300 884 988 or email bequests@acrf.com.au