Summary
For years, Jan was a familiar face in Brighton & Hove – first behind the wheel as a bus driver, then standing up for others as a union representative. When she was suddenly diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in December 2025, her family’s world changed overnight. Jan and her husband Graham share their story and explain how Martlets has brought comfort, dignity and peace during the toughest of times.
Jan:
“In December 2025, we had just come back from a family holiday to Budapest. I was getting this sharp pain in my side, especially when I took a deep breath, so I went to the GP. I had two CT scans at the hospital and then I got a phone call I’ll never forget: I was told I had advanced pancreatic cancer. I had some aggressive chemotherapy treatments, but the cancer had spread and there was nothing more they could do. I was told it was terminal and I might only have days to weeks to live.”
Graham and Janet
At Martlets they listen to what matters to us – and make it happen.
Graham:
“The diagnosis was a huge shock for all of us because Jan has always been so full of life. We didn’t know where to turn, but Martlets were there from the beginning. Their rehabilitation team visited us at home and quickly arranged a riser chair and other mobility aids. A Martlets social worker helped sort Jan’s Blue Badge application in just three days, and the community nursing team responded so quickly whenever her symptoms changed. We were amazed by how fast they acted on every concern and adjusted Jan’s pain relief to keep her comfortable.
“After the second round of chemotherapy, Jan became very unwell at home and had to be rushed into hospital. The staff in A&E did their best, but it was noisy, frantic and overwhelming. When Jan was offered a hospice bed and we arrived at Martlets, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The care here has genuinely blown us away – from the doctors and carers to the catering and cleaning staff. It takes special people to do hospice work, and you can tell it’s far more than just a job to them. They’re not only caring for Jan; they’re caring for all of us. We’ve all been offered counselling. Jan’s sister was also cared for by Martlets at home – she died two weeks ago – so it’s been an incredibly hard time.”
Jan:
“Nothing is too much for the staff here. They genuinely care about what matters to us as a family – and then they make it happen. When I was moved to Martlets, the hospital doctors thought I might only have a few days left to live, but seven weeks later I’m still here. Being at Martlets has given me the strength to keep living every moment. The extra care and support have kept me going.”
Janet and Graham celebrating their wedding anniversary in Martlets’ cafe (left), and celebrating a previous anniversary (right).
Martlets helped us celebrate our wedding anniversary
Graham:
“Celebrating our 26th wedding anniversary was really important to us, and Martlets helped us create a really special evening. A few weeks ago, the catering team set up a lovely table in the cafe after hours, just for us. The family and I kept it as a surprise for Jan. I went out and bought special food from M&S, including fish, because that’s Jan’s favourite. For one of our previous anniversaries, we’d ordered a meal from Rick Stein’s fish restaurant in Cornwall to be delivered all the way from Padstow to our house, so I wanted to recreate something of that evening. Jan couldn’t drink alcohol because of her condition, but she did have a few sips of piña colada. The cafe staff stayed behind after hours and pulled everything together so it felt like a proper restaurant. It was so thoughtful, and it meant the world to us.”
Cuddle beds and a listening ear
Graham:
“The larger ‘cuddle bed’ in Jan’s room has been wonderful because it means family can climb in beside her for a cuddle. I slept alongside her for a while, but she’s been in a lot of pain, so I’ve moved to the sofa bed. With the ensuite, TV, sofa bed and doors opening onto the garden, the room feels more like a hotel bedroom than a hospital room. I have back pain myself, and last night I slept in the recliner chair, which was surprisingly comfortable.
There are times when the nurses come in and can see Jan is feeling low, and they gently ask whether she’d like some one-to-one time to talk. They understand there may be things she wants to say that she doesn’t want to say to her loved ones. They make themselves available in such a natural, caring way. They’re incredibly good at sensing what people need – not just physically and medically, but emotionally too.
Janet in happier times.
At the heart of the community
Jan:
“I became a bus driver in Brighton in 1996 and later became a shop steward for the union. I was, more or less, the voice of bus drivers in Brighton & Hove. I led on pay negotiations and supported drivers, so a lot of people knew me. Looking back, I’m proud of the work I did. During Covid, I pushed for the bus company to have a cleaner at each depot to disinfect the buses and help keep drivers and passengers safe. Later, I became a regional officer for Unite. I also got involved in community and charity projects through both the bus company and the union to help local people.”
Graham:
“Jan was so good at her union work that, in the last few years there, she was barely on the road because she was leading on those issues full time. She changed people’s lives. Then she moved to Unite and did it on an even bigger scale. Roger French, the managing director of Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company while Jan worked there, helped transform the local operation into one of the most respected and innovative bus networks in the UK. He came to visit Jan at Martlets, which meant a great deal to us. It shows how highly thought of she is. She also received a lovely message from her manager at Unite. The bus company and the union were such a big part of Jan’s life, and it has meant a lot to reconnect with those people and that part of her story. Jan may not have long left with us, so it feels especially important to remember and celebrate everything she has done for the community and for our family.”
Family fundraising — Vickie nails it!
Jan:
“I didn’t realise until I came here how much hospices rely on local fundraising to keep going. My daughter Vickie, who’s a nail technician, wanted to do something for Martlets. She’s already raised £4,000 by running a raffle to win a year’s worth of nail appointments with her. And she’s made sure my nails still look good through all of this – which means a lot to me.”
Graham:
“What Vickie has raised is a testament to how much people care about Jan. The people who know and love her have given so generously. My nephew Oli has been incredible too – he organised an Elvis Presley tribute night at a local pub, and we held a bucket collection for Martlets and raised £250.”
Janet at home, and with her granddaughter.
Will you help Martlets care for more families like ours?
Graham:
“What Martlets has given Jan is dignity at an incredibly difficult time. They’ve also given us hope as a family: hope that the time we have left with Jan can still be filled with the things that matter most. It’s hard to explain how important hospice care is until your own family needs it. But one in four people in the UK will die from cancer, and many more will have other terminal illnesses. They and the people who love them deserve the same compassionate care we’ve received. But unless people continue to give and fundraise, hospices like Martlets are at risk. So, please support Martlets if you can.”
Jan died on 18th May 2026 on Martlets’ inpatient unit – a week after giving this interview. Her family asked that we publish her story as a celebration of her life and in recognition of the care she received from the team at Martlets.
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Make a difference today
If Janet’s story resonates with you, there are many ways to support Martlets – from donating to fundraising and making a gift in your Will. Every contribution helps ensure compassionate, specialist care is there for families when they need it most:
Take part in a fundraising challenge
Play the Local Hospice Lottery
However you choose to support us – a huge thank you from everyone here at Martlets.
Published: 25/05/26