Man's Valentine's Day donation in wife's memory

Darshana Nagar died from a rare form of cancer in September 2022

A Nottinghamshire man who lost his wife to a rare form of cancer has raised thousands of pounds to support research into the condition.

Sandip Nagar, of Calverton, has donated £50,000 to University College London Hospitals (UCLH), where his wife Darshana was treated.

The mum-of-two died in 2022 after a phyllodes tumour in her breast became cancerous and the disease spread to her brain.

Mr Nagar said the donation, made on Wednesday, was his "Valentine’s Day gift to [his] wife”.

Sandip Nagar (right) and his daughter Khaya (left) presented a cheque to Dr Mahbubl Ahmed

Mrs Nagar had suffered from a lump in her breast for six years and had annual check-ups, all of which confirmed the lump was benign.

However, doctors later discovered that the phyllodes tumour had become malignant - something which happens in between 20 and 25% of cases according to Sarcoma UK.

The lump was removed at Nottingham City Hospital but it returned just three months later.

A body scan later showed that the cancer had spread to Mrs Nagar’s brain and her treatment was moved to specialists at UCLH.

Despite the treatment, Mrs Nagar - described as an “amazing lady” and “a great mother” - died in September 2022 at the age of 47.

Mr and Mrs Nagar with their children, Khaya (front left) and Ryhun (top left)

Mr Nagar said: “After she passed, I knew what kind of character she was like, she wanted to make sure she was out there supporting other women with this condition, so I thought I have to do something.”

He set up a charity called Rare to raise money for research into phyllodes tumours.

Mr Nagar said: “I want to share the message to every lady out there, and men, to always keep checking never be afraid.

"My wife’s story unfortunately ended the way it did but her legacy and everything she was about has created so much more for other women to survive from this.”

Around £39,000 was raised over the course of a year, with an anonymous donor topping up the total to £50,000.

A spokesperson for the UCLH Charity said: “The funds raised will be used to create a website for patients to access high quality information and will also be invested in research.”

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