Jana Marshall and her father, Robert, shared a unique bond. While many people face a cancer journey solo, Jana, diagnosed with breast cancer, and Robert, diagnosed with prostate cancer, bittersweetly faced their diagnoses together and had each other to lean on.
After both being diagnosed in 2014, Jana took a leave of absence from work and was able to drive Robert to treatment sessions while Robert drove Jana to some medical appointments. While not a bond they ever wished to share, it made them stronger and closer during what was, at the time, the toughest challenge they had ever faced.
“It was really nice for us to spend that time together, bonding over this, despite the circumstances,” says Jana.
Although both diagnoses were caught early and eventually cured, Jana still felt the lingering emotional impact of her cancer when she was transitioning back into her new “normal” life. She happened upon Wellspring in 2014 and said she felt instantaneous relief as soon as she walked through the doors. “The calm, the peacefulness, the people that I met… I finally had a place where I didn’t have to worry about my family worrying about me. Before, I would sometimes guard my words around my siblings, but here, I could finally talk freely,” she says.
While Jana participated in Wellspring’s Be Well Talks and the Breast Cancer Support Group, she was most positively impacted by the Relaxation and Visualization program, which she described as being the catalyst for starting her meditation journey. “I remember once crying through one whole session, and honestly, it just felt good to be able to let it all out in a safe space. The calm that this program brought over me made me look forward to it so much. Before it, I didn’t have a way to get to that calm. Now, I try to maintain a consistent routine of practicing meditation, so when tough times do come, I know I can lean on those tools,” she says.
Sadly, those tough times arrived sooner than expected in 2022, when the Marshall family were faced again with life-altering news—Robert had been diagnosed with an incurable multiple myeloma. While the emotional toll of this news was enough hardship to bear, they also faced practical decisions—Robert wanted to update his will.
Described as generous and kind, Robert had regularly donated to charities throughout his life. He knew the charities that would benefit from a portion of his estate, and while he didn’t use Wellspring’s services himself, he understood the important impact Wellspring had on his daughter’s life. In his will, Robert made a very generous donation to ensure Wellspring had funds to continue providing vital programs free of charge to more people with cancer. “Leaving a legacy to Wellspring was, I think, my dad’s way of honouring me,” Jana says.
Inspired by her father’s generosity, Jana included Wellspring and other charities to her own will. “I know how tough it is when a family goes through cancer and how Wellspring can help. I’ve also been fortunate that my financial situation allowed me to do this, and I understand not everyone may be in the same position. Legacy giving is personal, but if your financial situation allows you to be generous outside your family, consider giving. You can leave something in the world that’s going to be useful. Personally, it gives me a sense of purpose that I am leaving a good legacy in the world,” she says.
While changing the wills came with its fair share of challenges, Robert and Jana learnt a lot along the way. “We both made time to figure out the best way to leave money to our chosen charities, and we talked to many people. As it turns out, we didn’t do it the best way the first time, but there are people out there who can help and make it less complicated,” she says.
Robert eventually passed away from cancer in 2023. But thanks to his generous donation to Wellspring, his legacy has allowed many other people impacted by cancer to get the vital support they need.
As for Jana, she volunteers her time to Wellspring, which she describes as another type of long-term investment and something that brings her closer to her dad. “Volunteering is a connection to my dad for me because every day I see people walk through Wellspring’s doors who I know he has helped,” she says.
Learn more about how to Leave a Legacy to Wellspring in your will.
