A WOMAN has left hundreds of thousands of pounds in her will to help heart and cancer services in the county.
Dorothy Hackney, who recently passed away at the age of 92, gave £650,000 to Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to say thank you to staff after her husband, Ray, was looked after at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Although Dorothy lived in Wales, she often visited Worcestershire with her husband on holiday.
It was during one of these breaks she witnessed the care doctors and nurses at Worcestershire Royal gave to Ray who had myelmoa – an incurable bone cancer.
To show their appreciation, the trust will place a plaque in Dorothy’s memory in the foyer of the hospital.
Ray Merrick, a close friend and executor of Dorothy’s will, said: “Since her husband’s treatment at the hospital Dorothy knew she wanted her money to go towards helping other patients with myeloma.
“She always went on about how kind everyone was to both her and her husband throughout his care.”
Consultant haematologist, Dr Salim Shafeek, treats patients with myeloma and other forms of blood cancer.
“Myeloma is a growing condition that is difficult to treat.” he said.
“Without research we can’t progress on these incurable conditions. This great donation to our research means we can continue to bring better care to our patients. Every penny will go towards improving patient care, whether through developments to equipment and facilities or by setting up more local research trials.”
The money will also be going towards Worcestershire’s heart services.
Dr Jasper Trevelyan, consultant cardiologist, added: “This donation will help us provide first class care in cardiology.
“Over the last eight years we have invested in a new cardiac catheter lab and moved on to 24/7 services for emergency heart attack care.
“This money will allow us to invest in and expand our services even further for our patients.”
Dorothy left £650,000 in Ray’s memory
