'Dot Griffiths was truly remarkable and will be greatly missed'

Dorothy Griffiths was a woman who inspired many in North Staffordshire. Reporter Richard Ault looks back at what she achieved during her life and talks to people on whom she has made a lasting impression

WITHIN moments of Dot Griffiths's death, nurses had brought out a box full of cards, memories and recordings she had made to comfort her family.

That her final gesture was to think of her children's wellbeing was typical of the woman who had become such an inspirational figure to so many throughout the Potteries and, indeed, the rest of the country.

Included in the box were memory blankets for her five grandchildren, goodbye cards and personal recordings she made for her two sons, Robert, aged 36, and 32-year-old Ross.

Her eldest son Robert Irving, who lives in Alsagers Bank, said: "She was meticulous in her preparation. We had said everything to each other that we needed to.

"My brother Ross and I were there, with Ross's wife Alison. She said, 'I think she's stopped breathing'.

"I put my hand on her forehead and she gave another few breaths and then passed away."

Dot was expected to die in 2000 or 2001. She had been given between 12 and 18 months to live after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer in March, 1999.

But while the surgeons gave up hope, the former NHS manager certainly didn't. She fought and won a national campaign for women to be treated with the experimental drug Herceptin, which was not licensed for use on the NHS.

And since 2001, that drug helped keep her alive through numerous relapses and almost constant courses of gruelling treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In the decade of extra life the drug gave her, Dot was able to see her son Ross marry his fiancée Alison Pye, and three of her five grandchildren born – Isabel, now aged two, Hugh, aged five, and eight-year-old Joseph – while another two, Jade and Ellie reach the ages of 15 and 13 respectively.

It also meant Dot, who was Stoke-on-Trent's Citizen of the Year 2005, has enjoyed more years in the love of her family, including her 87-year-old mum Aileen, and sisters Margaret, aged 61, and Karen, aged 50.

More importantly to thousands of women all over the country diagnosed with cancer, Dot provided the inspiration and leadership of the successful Women Fighting For Herceptin campaign, which won the right of all women who would benefit from Herceptin to receive the drug on the NHS.

Meanwhile, her charity – the Dorothy Griffiths Cancer Appeal – has raised thousands of pounds for the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS).

Her youngest son Ross, of Cliff Vale, said: "She reached every target she set. I had no doubt she would once she set her mind to it.

"The last few weeks have been terrible. In a way it is a relief that she doesn't have to fight any more and she's not in any pain now.

"I know she will always be keeping an eye on me."

A family statement, prepared by Robert and Ross, said: "Mum had a zest for life that was undiminished throughout her illness and stayed with her right until her death.

"She was a wonderful mother, daughter, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend, who would always go out of her way to help others.

"She had a strong sense of justice and it was this that led her to front the campaign to make Herceptin widely available on the NHS.

"For us it summed up our mum, that she attacked that battle with such vigour despite the fact that she was already receiving the drug for terminal cancer.

"She wasn't content to receive it in the knowledge that other non-terminal patients, whose lives could be saved, were being denied it.

"She was a truly remarkable lady who will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends."

Campaigner Lynne Burton, aged 60, of Clayton, told The Sentinel: "She was an icon for all of us, such a gutsy, formidable and courageous lady.

"It was a privilege to know her and call her a friend.

"I don't know what we are going to do without her. What she achieved will live on."

Fellow Herceptin campaigner Alison Poole, of Bagnall, first met Dot while she was quietly waiting for treatment for early-stage breast cancer at UHNS.

The 49-year-old said: "She was so positive and inspirational, she gave you that courage to carry on.

I will miss her deeply. Staffordshire has lost a great campaigner."

Close friend Rita Stevenson knew Dot from the age of 17, when the pair worked together at an estate agents in Hanley.

The 61-year-old, of Leek Road, Hanley, said: "I feel quite strongly Dot should be decorated in some way, perhaps an OBE or an MBE.

"She was very special, the most inspirational person I've ever met, with such strength of character.

"She will live on in so many people's hearts and I loved her dearly."