Joan Simons (MBChB Medicine, 1946) studied at Birmingham during the second World War: a time of great uncertainty.
Joan did not let this phase her, however, and she found positivity through the darkness of the time. One memorable story that she told her family is that she refused to go into the air-raid shelter during bombing raids, preferring to take a book and a bottle of whiskey into the cupboard under the stairs!
She came from humble beginnings and her studies were financed by an inheritance, so she knew she could not afford to fail any exams. Luckily, she passed with flying colours and graduated in 1946. She was a staunch supporter of education, for her daughters in particular, but also as a general concept. This was reflected in the generous gift that she left in her will to the Medical School, which went towards Professor Paul Moss' research.
Professor Paul Moss' research group specialises in research based around the immunology of cancer, transplantation and viral infection, including the immune response to leukaemia and lymphoma, as well as pancreatic, ovarian and testicular cancers. These cancers affect millions of people worldwide, so this research is intrinsically important and could save countless lives. Professor Moss expressed his gratitude for this and other legacy gifts, saying: 'Revolutionary personalised cancer treatments developed in Birmingham are helping us manage and treat cancer much more effectively. Legacy gifts like Joan's help us continue to be at the forefront of the latest cancer treatments.'
Joan's family know that she would be delighted in how her legacy is being used. 'Mum would be delighted and interested in how her legacy is being used. She maintained an interest in medical and science matters beyond her retirement. We in the family are pleased as a majority of our senior family have succumbed to malignancies.'
The gift in her will was the perfect way of continuing her life's passion and ensuring that her memory lives on in the impact that Professor Moss' research will have on future patients. As Joan undoubtedly improved and saved lives during her career in medicine, she continues to do so now - a powerful legacy to leave.