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Cobalt finds smart way to ease concerns of patients ; Cobalt 2014 APPEAL Registered Charity No: 1090790 [Gloucestershire Echo (England)]
[May 17, 2014]

Cobalt finds smart way to ease concerns of patients ; Cobalt 2014 APPEAL Registered Charity No: 1090790 [Gloucestershire Echo (England)]


(Gloucestershire Echo (England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A CANCER charity in Cheltenham is endorsing a new smart phone app which enables people to organise their personal affairs before they die.

Cobalt, the diagnostics centre based in Thirlestaine Road, is celebrating its fourth Make a Will month as it seeks donations from the public to raise money for a new PET/CT scanner which catches the early onset of cancer and dementia.

The Cobalt 2014 Appeal was launched in March to mark the centre's 50th anniversary. The centre needs to raise Pounds 500,000 to afford the scanner which is worth Pounds 1.8 million.

Generous members of the charity and the general public have helped raise almost Pounds 130,000 so far.

Legacy officer Zena Giles said: "Dying isn't a topic we like to think of, but hundreds of people have called Cobalt over the last few months to get their will packs and make arrangements to see a solicitor and get their affairs in order. "It's been a busy time and I've spoken to many people who have taken the opportunity to tackle a subject that some have described as rather daunting.



"One lady expressed feeling much relieved saying it wasn't as painful as she thought it would be.

"Her will is all sorted and she feels grateful.


"She has been able to leave instructions for her son to follow in the future and she was also able to contribute to our current Diagnostic Imaging for Life Anniversary Appeal through the donation she gave via the solicitor." The Cobalt team came across a mobile phone app called Legacy Organiser, which gives patients a way of organising their personal legacy, including photos, events, music and a bucket list. It is available through iTunes.

Stephen Sutton, the inspirational teenage cancer fundraiser from Stafford who died on Wednesday, shared his bucket list with the world through social media and raised millions of pounds for his charity.

Each year, Cobalt provides diagnostic imaging for more than 20,000 patients at its Linton House centre in Cheltenham. Donations made during Make a Will month will go towards the centre's fundraising effort.

Zena continued: "Talking about and being prepared for dying isn't the taboo subject it once was.

"Cobalt is proud that people's health is at the heart of what they do. Donations and legacy gifts they receive make an important contribution to their current work and future plans, which will support thousands of local patients each year with cancer, dementia and other life-limiting conditions." To leave a legacy gift to Cobalt, call Zena Giles on 01242 535922.

Dying Matters, an online organisation that aims to change public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards death and bereavement, also launched a public awareness week, which ends tomorrow. This year's topic is called You Only Die Once.

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