Dina Lazarus had been in her dream job as a journalist at a Methodist Church for a few months, following a fantastic placement at Time Out, and life was great. With a beautiful home, loving family and fantastic friends the world was at her fingertips.  In June 2009 Dina's world was shattered by the news that she had stage 4 bowel cancer and that without treatment she had only 3-6 months to live.  With characteristic strength and positivity Dina decided to fight and give herself and others the best quality of life possible, pouring huge amounts of time and energy into raising money for the new Cancer Centre that was being built at UCH on Huntley Street.

Despite undergoing numerous rounds of chemotherapy and becoming desperately unwell Dina decided to organise a charity auction for UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation at Foyles Bookshop. Raising more than £15,500, Dina's incredible fundraising paid for the purchase of a tree in the Winter Garden of the Cancer Centre along with a selection of beautiful plants.

The Cancer Centre opened in April 2012, and on Tuesday 17th July 2012 an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate and thank Dina for her awesome fundraising efforts.

Along with close friends and family, Dina’s medical team at UCH were there to show their appreciation of Dina’s achievement.

In April 2013 sadly Dina's health took a turn for the worse and in June 2013, after 4 years of treatment and fighting her battle with cancer with such bravery, she passed away.  UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation is incredibly grateful to Dina, her family and her friends for their support of the Cancer Centre Appeal.

Hannah Persaud, Fundraising Manager, says, 'From the moment that I met Dina I was in awe of her strength and positivity in the face of such tragic circumstances. Each time that I met her she was vibrant and full of life, a real hub of energy wherever we happened to be. I was deeply saddened to hear of her death and my thoughts go out to her friends and family who have suffered such a terrible loss. We at UCL Hospitals Charitable Foundation are truly grateful for all that Dina did in her incredible fundraising'.