Jan was a wonderfully enthusiastic and dedicated Committee Member for many years, supporting the charity on a variety of Fundraising events, working on all forms of awareness raising for MDS and was often seen liaising with a variety of interesting potential stakeholders in our work.
In 2010, she helped initiate and engineer an amazing fundraiser, getting friends David and Vicki to drive a Mini to the Arctic:
https://mdspatientsupport.org.uk/event/david-bayliss-arctic-trip-in-a-mini-dec-2010/
Jan also linked up with the Southborough School of Dance 2011 Charity Dance Show, in Tunbridge Wells – to raise funds for MDS UK
https://mdspatientsupport.org.uk/event/southborough-school-of-dance-2011-charity-dance-show/
But her most important and lasting legacy is undoubtedly her brilliant animated film – Myelo’s Hope:
https://mdspatientsupport.org.uk/new-animation-to-explain-mds-to-all/
Jan conceived the idea of Myelo's Hope – and her family and friends helped to turn it into reality, with amazing work as well as substantial financial support. MDS UK proudly features the animated film, which helps newly diagnosed patients and families realise that there is help available, that MDS is a serious condition, but that you learn to live with. It is meant to be informative, factual but also reassuring where possible.
It has been very well received by both the community of patients and clinicians alike. And fellow charity CLL Support liked it so much, they adapted it for their own needs – with permission from MDS UK. (Others are welcome to approach us if Myelo could help other communities in future – just write to info@mdspatientsupport.org.uk
We thank Jan for her vision and contribution. We thank her husband for the support, and keep wishing him much continued strength and courage. Sophie and team, on behalf of the charity, the trustees and the community of patients, past, present and future.
For Jan's obituary see https://mdspatientsupport.org.uk/jan-randall-buchanan-obituary/
