Breast Cancer Champion Remembered



 

Trust Chief Executive Julia Bridgewater with Dot Griffiths

Staff at University Hospital of North Staffordshire have paid tribute to Herceptin champion Dot Griffiths. Dot, who passed away in April, led a campaign to get the breast cancer drug Herceptin free for all who needed it on the NHS. Dot's incredible courage and sheer force of personality touched the hearts of the many people who admired her. Her warmth and kindness was felt by the many members of staff who first treated and then became friends with her.

Dr Murray Brunt, consultant clinical oncologist, said: "I have very fond personal memories of Dot. Every time I had a consultation with Dot it started with a hug and ended with a hug. One of her big driving forces was her family. When she first developed advanced breast cancer in 2001 she had no grandchildren. We have seen her ever since then and she has seen her grandchildren start to grow up and that was something very very special for her. She knew that her treatment had given her much longer than she had expected in 2001. At that stage we didn't know how good Herceptin would be. It was a privilege to be a part of Dot's life."

Rachael Morgan, oncology advanced nurse practitioner, said: "I first met Dot when I started caring for her during her chemotherapy treatment in 1999. She was a very driven and very motivated lady and she had the full support of the staff and patients. She was able to channel some of her energies to benefit other patients. She was very passionate about the services that are available locally because she was from the Potteries. When she attended for treatment she would spend time with other patients to support them too, she was just there for everybody. She had a presence about her and her enthusiasm was infectious. The people of this area can be very proud of Dot."

Steve Rushton, Charitable Fund manager: "Staff will remember Dot with the greatest affection. She became a personal friend to many of the staff and was a big supporter of the hospital. The fundraising that she spear-headed has already made a huge difference to our cancer patients. The Dorothy Griffiths Cancer Appeal has so far spent over 125,000 pounds at the hospital. We have purchased a huge variety of equipment to benefit cancer patients from Lymphoedema to Radiotherapy, from Chemotherapy to Clinical Trials. Dot had a major impact on the lives of local cancer patients and we are truly indebted to her for the significant part she played in helping improve the care we provide to patients."