Judy Dewinter, of West Hampstead, has been named ‘Charity Champion’ in Woman & Home magazine’s ‘Amazing Women’ awards, and is featured in its October edition.
The mum-of-two, who grew up in Chigwell, was diagnosed at just 33 with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer — and given only 18 months to two years to live.
Yet 27 years on, she is busy running the charity that supports the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, recognised for her “exceptional leadership” with her long-term thinking.
Judy chaired Myeloma UK for 13 years before starting her current role as chair of the Royal Free Charity in 2019.
“This award recognises the power of NHS charities to make a real difference to patients,” she says.
“I was given 18 months to live when I was diagnosed 27 years ago. The doctor had tears in his eyes when he said how long I had to live.”
But the determined Judy did not accept that her cancer could not be fixed.
She quit her job on the international stock-markets and used her business experience to advocate for Myeloma UK and called on the Government to do more about the cost of myeloma drugs. This led to the NHS getting access to a groundbreaking drug that doubled survival rates over five years.
“Many thousands of patients benefitted and still benefit from this,” she adds. “I might not be alive today without it.”
Judy now brings that same spirit to the Royal Free Charity, preparing to launch a £50 million fundraising programme for a new cancer centre at the hospital.
The charity has also completed a £62 million project to create the Pears Building for immune system research by the UCL Institute of Immunity, as well as acquiring the country’s first ‘total body’ CT scanner to reduce diagnosis time and radiation exposure.
“NHS charities go beyond the limitations of public funding,” Judy tells you. “Being part of this sector allows me to apply my experience both as a patient and business leader for lasting change.”
Judy, who graduated from St Godric’s secretarial college in Hampstead and went on to get her stockbroker qualification at 21, paid tribute to the nurses at the Royal Free when asked which women inspired her most. She described their compassion as “deeply inspiring”.
The Royal Free Charity’s Jon Spiers said: “Judy’s leadership has transformed what we are able to achieve as a charity. Her story continues to inspire our staff, supporters and the whole NHS charity sector.”
The Jewish Care charity presented Judy with the Topland business award in 2015. She grew up in Chigwell where her parents were key figures in the Jewish community.
