Our Partners for the Future are a special group of people who have left a gift to Garvan in their Will. Their generosity plays a major role in our work and ensures their legacy lives on in medical research advancements.

Greg was just 11 when he found out about his 13-year-old sister Tracey Lea’s teratoma tumour. “I knew something was wrong. She was in so much pain,” he recalls. “If Tracey Lea had been diagnosed today, I know that her cancer could have been identified through the technology and expertise at Garvan.

“Perhaps one day, by the time my bequest reaches Garvan, they will be able to sequence everyone’s DNA, or be able to identify the tumour and plan treatment for someone like Tracey Lea within an hour or two. I know that idea would have made Tracey Lea very happy.”

Greg Goodley

"I am proud to have Garvan in my Will"

Joe and Betty Banhidi's lives were ripped apart in September 2013, when Joe was diagnosed with aggressive mantle cell lymphoma. During six months of heavy chemo, the couple’s eyes were opened to the impact of illness – and how medical research can help.

The more the couple read about research the more their interest grew – this interest led them to the Garvan Institute. Following tours at both Garvan’s Darlinghurst and Moss Vale research facilities, Joe and Betty made the selfless decision of leaving a bequest to Garvan in their Will, and became Garvan Partners for the Future. Right now, Joe is in remission and continues to convey a sense of gratitude to medical research for saving his life.

Joe and Betty Banhidi

"What I've got is incurable, but because. ofmedical research it's manageable."

After a career in banking, Claire now volunteers with the Garvan Research Foundation each week. “The work environment is great, and the work keeps your mind active. If I don’t come in, I really miss it.”

By the time Claire was preparing her Will, she was very passionate about Garvan’s work. So, when she was deciding who to leave a bequest to, she says, “I didn’t even think about other organisations. If someone is considering leaving a gift in their Will, I would say, do it! It doesn’t have to be all of your assets. Every little bit counts. By supporting medical research, you are leaving a gift to future generations of your family, and to humanity as well.”  

Claire Greaves

"By supporting medical research, you are leaving a gift to future generations of your family, and to humanity as well.”

Terry and his brother Peter were both diagnosed with prostate cancer at the same time. Terry was diagnosed early and was eligible for radioactive brachytherapy seed implants, which have kept his cancer in check. Peter wasn’t as lucky; his cancer was advanced by the time it was detected. 

Surgery could only remove part of the tumour. Secondary cancers were found throughout his body and he was prescribed a chemo regime that took its toll on his body. Peter passed away within a year of his diagnosis.

“I went on a tour of Garvan and learned about the research into personalised medicine, getting chemotherapy right so it doesn’t knock the hell out of you. I thought that was very worthwhile. It all goes back to my brother. I want to share his story, and have decided to leave a gift in my Will to the Garvan Institute to honour him and his memory

Terry Gallagher

“I don’t want anyone else to lose someone close to them in the same way. Becoming a Garvan Partner for the Future is my tribute to my brother, Peter.”

Diane has always considered herself a fortunate person, with a happy upbringing, rewarding career, opportunities to travel and the company of good friends and family. But there is also sadness. Both Diane’s parents passed away after significant medical ordeals. Her father from dementia and her mother from leukaemia. She also had a friend who succumbed to ovarian cancer.

Diane’s experiences combined with her gratitude for her blessings, have underpinned her decision to become a Garvan 

and nominate Garvan as a beneficiary of her Will. “You can’t do medical research without financial support and that’s where I can help. I want to know that when my life ends, Garvan can progress and continue to make medical breakthroughs.”

Diane Ferrier

“I’ve been very fortunate and I would like to give back. I really want to help researchers and Garvan to be able to move forward.”

When Peter was in his late twenties, his mother developed a form of chronic haemophilia that has no known cause or cure. When she lost her battle to the disease 10 years later, Peter’s father was determined to leave money to medical research.

In a sad turn of events, he lost motor and communication skills after a stroke and was never able to revise his Will. Peter has now left a bequest to Garvan in honour of his father’s wishes, and in memory of both his parents.

Peter Olive

"...it's reassuring to think that something I've accumulated throughout my lifetime can bring benefit to humanity as a whole."

The desire to help others led Sid Lewis to become a Garvan Partner for the Future, in memory of his beloved wife of 65 years, Kit. When Kit was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Sid learned all that he could to ensure her condition was properly managed.

During his research and Kit’s treatments, they were introduced to the Garvan Institute and were highly impressed by the breakthrough work led by our scientists. Sid knew that leaving a bequest to Garvan in his Will was an important way he could honour the memory of his beautiful wife, and provide a gift back to the land and people they loved so much.

 “If other people are able to leave a bequest to Garvan as well, their legacies will also continue on in a very meaningful way for so many people.”

Sid Lewis

“It’s a revelation what’s occurring in the world of medical research.”

Gabriel Farago was a young boy when he arrived in Australia from Eastern Europe, with all his belongings in a little brown suitcase. With new opportunities, hard work and good fortune, his belongings grew well beyond the suitcase over the years.

Gabriel and his wife Joan were looking for a way to give back to life what it had given them, and decided to leave a bequest in their Will. After looking into Garvan’s work, it was the obvious choice for the Faragos and they know their bequest will be put to good use.  

Gabriel & Joan Farago

“What could possibly be more important than supporting cutting-edge medical research which will benefit generations to come?” 

Bill Walker was a dear friend and one of Garvan’s most passionate and generous supporters. Bill lived a full and interesting life, passing away just 26 days shy of his 106th Birthday. It was Bill’s wish to give back to medical research and help others suffering with disease, and he generously included a bequest in his Will to Garvan. 

“I have a dream if I support Garvan they may develop treatments that could eliminate cancer. So, I made a Will and I have left most of my estate to Garvan. I feel if the research can continue as it is, the answer will come. And I urge everyone who can help, to do so for the cause.”

Thank you, Bill, for your friendship to Garvan and farsighted generosity to the community. It has been a pleasure knowing you and you will be greatly missed. As per your wishes, your bequest will go on in perpetuity to help improve the lives of future generations

Vale Bill Walker (18 May 1916-21 April 2022)

“We think everybody wants to leave the world a better place, and by supporting Garvan I know we are helping all of humanity. The research into disease and treatments will go all around the world, including developing countries. That’s extremely important to us.

We also had a conversation with our daughter about wanting to leave a percentage of our Wills to Garvan as a cause we believe in. Because she works in research herself, she understands how difficult it is to fund work through grants alone, so she was very supportive of our decision to become Garvan 

Sue & Peter de Beuzeville 

“We really like the way Garvan cares about people and the information we receive when we come here.”

Rick is a semi-retired educator and author. He began giving to Garvan with annual donations. However, the more he learned about Garvan’s work and breakthroughs, the more he wanted to contribute.

When it was time to review his Will, he included bequests to four different charities – one of them being Garvan. Rick is pleased to be playing a role in helping to unlock the secrets to a range of devastating diseases and enjoys being able to stay up to date with Garvan’s research and discoveries. 

Rick Stevens 

"It's encouraging to know that the future of medical research will be in good hands, and that I'm playing a small part."  

Michael and Joy have been donating to Garvan for many years. In fact, they have first-hand experience of our work – Joy has been treated for osteoporosis since 1989 by Professor John Eisman, former director of the Osteoporosis and Bone division

 , now Lab Head – Osteoporosis and Translational Research.

Garvan has meant so much to them over the years, so their decision to leave a bequest wasn’t difficult at all. 

Michael and Joy Foulsham 

“We are so impressed by the researchers we meet. They are such hard working and dedicated people.”  

Roberta is no stranger to medical research. After teaching Nature and Physics in the UK and Sydney, she began work at the UK’s Medical Research Council. There, she had the chance to visit a range of research centres and witness truly important developments in the field.

Roberta has now retired in Sydney, where she’s able to volunteer regularly at Garvan and keep up with the latest research developments. After seeing the important work being done by Garvan’s researchers, she’s confident her bequest will be a lasting legacy.

Roberta Withnall 

“Including a bequest to Garvan in my Will was a sound decision.”

George first became aware of Garvan in the 1980s when he discovered the life-changing diabetes research achieved by our scientists and clinicians. As George learned more about Garvan, he was so impressed with the broad-ranging diseases we research that he became a regular supporter and loved attending our free Medical Research Seminars.

When the time came to make his Will, George decided to become a Garvan 

and included a farsighted and generous bequest to our endowment fund.

George Quigg 

“The medical research outcomes achieved at Garvan are universally needed for the benefit of all humanity.”

How to make a bequest

Contact Donna Mason, Bequest Manager at Garvan if you would like information about leaving a gift in your Will to Garvan and becoming a Partner for the Future. Your enquiry and details will be treated in the strictest confidence and without any obligation.

Donna Mason

Allegra Angeloni and Qian Du. png

Not only have our Partners for the Future left a bequest to Garvan in their Will, they’ve also left a lasting legacy for future generations.