A life-threatening illness led to this twin to consider how she could contribute an enduring legacy to the quest to find global cures.

We thank twin and ATR member, Meryl (as she wishes to remain anonymous, we have not used her full name), for her bequest to the ATR and for telling her story to encourage other twins to consider making a bequest to twin research. 

A bequest to the ATR will help us to continue to place twin studies at the forefront of health and medical research. Twin research offers the potential to fast-track research and to find cures to benefit all of humankind.

Meryl’s story:

“My twin sister and I joined the ATR over 20 years ago and have been more than happy to participate in the ATR's research when called on.

“I have recently returned to Australia after living in England since 1995. In 2003 I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkinson Lymphoma. The treatment I received over 11 years led to the full remission of the condition in 2014. 

“Without the advanced medical technologies that I was able to benefit from, I might have not survived. During the years of treatment I have been acutely aware that these treatments were the result of intensive painstaking research by many research organisations. Whilst much of the research would have been funded by governments and the pharmaceutical industry, I am also aware that donations and bequests by generous people have also helped fund the research. 

“My bequest to the ATR is my way of thanking everybody involved in medical research for the gift of good health that I received and helping to fund further research programs.” 

If you would like to talk confidentially to someone about including the ATR in your Will, you can call Lynette Walker on 0413-387-170 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Lynette can discuss with you, without any obligation, the ways in which you can leave a bequest to us and what your bequest will achieve. 

For more details on bequests and other ways to support the ATR, please visit 
www.twins.org.au/support-us