Family’s £500k donation will help to transform radiotherapy at Weston Park Cancer Centre

A family from Sheffield has donated half a million pounds to help bring the city its first-ever life-saving MRI simulator cancer scanning machine.

The remarkable gift, given by the Cantor Denaro family through the H and L Cantor Trust, is the largest single donation ever received by the charity.

By helping us to secure an MRI simulator, the family’s incredible act of generosity will save and improve lives for years to come.

We spoke to Galya Cantor Denaro and her son Sam, to find out more about their values, their family’s history, and their motivations for supporting the appeal.

“In my father’s own words: he was a shopkeeper from Sheffield,” said Galya.

“He was called Harold Cantor, and he started his furniture business with his brother Cyril. They were very different; my father did the numbers and the figures, and Cyril was the one who would go out and meet with people.”

The brothers opened their first branch of Cantors in Sheffield in 1927, and over time they had more than 100 stores across the UK. They also played an important role in the city’s footballing history.

“Cyril liked tennis and cricket, but my father loved Sheffield United. He had a season ticket all his life, his own parking space at the ground, and Cantors was the team’s first ever shirt sponsor.”

Harold set up the H and L Cantor Trust, a grant-making charity through which he could support the causes he was passionate about.

“My father was proud of his roots,” said Galya. “He started with nothing and he wanted to give back to the city that he came from.”

Galya now manages the trust, with the input of her four sons Avi, Lee, Ben, and Sam.

“It’s important to us that we support projects that help people across the board –regardless of who they are, what they have, or where they’re from,” said Galya.

Galya and her family’s support laid the foundations for the ‘see it. treat it.’ appeal, and has been pivotal to the success of the campaign.

The appeal is raising £1.85m for a new MRI simulator, which will enhance the accuracy with which radiotherapy can be planned and delivered at Weston Park Cancer Centre.

This power tool is set to reduce side effects, speed up recovery times for patients, and improve survival rates across the region.

The Cantor Denaro family with Steve Purdham and Dave Capper (Westfield Health) and Dr Kash Purohit ('see it. treat it.' Appeal Board Chair) at Bramall Lane.

“Like many people, we’ve been through bumpy times,” said Galya. “I’ve been diagnosed with cancer twice now, and Sam has a serious health issue. When that happens to you, your priorities and values change.

“We feel very fortunate to be part of the appeal,” she continued. “If we can do something that may help one person, either by giving them treatment sooner or for a shorter period of time – then how lucky are we to be able to do that?

“It’s a huge privilege that I do not take for granted.”

Sam, who has inherited his grandad’s love of Sheffield United, said:

“The thing my mum and dad have always taught me is: if there’s anything you can do to help someone else, do it.

“Like my mum said, it’s a privilege to be part of the appeal. But it also just feels like the right thing to do.”

“Absolutely,” said Galya. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re giving one pound at a football match or one million pounds. It’s about doing what you can to make someone else’s bad time easier.”

Cat Rhone, Deputy CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity, said:

“It’s hard to put into words just how grateful we are for the support of Galya and her family.

“Their donation, the single largest in our history, kick-started the 'see it. treat it.' appeal and has been invaluable to the campaign.

“The family’s kindness will help to elevate the standard of care available to people living with cancer in our region. Their gift will touch lives for generations."

On Sunday, Galya, her husband Nat, and sons Sam and Lee attended the Steel City Derby, which was held in support of the appeal.

On the day, fans gave generously – building on the fantastic sum raised previously through Sheffield United FC’s Big Charity Bash event.

“When it comes to cancer, we’ve all been affected or know someone who’s been affected,” said Sam. “So, the football match was a way of uniting people together.

“At the end of the day – we’re all Sheffield.”

“It was an important day for us,” said Galya. “It made me feel proud for my father. He started working very young, and he worked all his life. The support we can give is thanks to him.

“I was entrusted by my father, with something that he started, in the city he was from that meant the world to him. I really believe he would be very pleased with my choices.”

To add your support to the ‘see it. treat it.’ appeal, head to: westonpark.org.uk/mri-appeal-donate.