World Cancer Research Fund has been accused of not only failing to adhere to the most basic data governance but also wasting supporters’ money after the charity sent a mailing entitled “Healthy You” to a Cheshire woman who has been dead nearly a year.
The mailpack, which includes a copy of the charity’s autumn 2025 newsletter, also contains a letter from chief executive Rachael Gormley, who enthuses: “It’s been a busy time for WCRF and I can’t wait to update you on all that’s being going on… I’ve never been more excited about the future.”
The pack also includes a supporter survey, which reads: “We’re always working to bring you the very best cancer prevention information, tasty recipes and inspiring supporter stories – but we want to hear what you think!”
The deceased woman’s son, who just so happens to be a Decision Marketing reader, said: “I am quite happy to tell them what I think. It’s shoddy at best; deplorable at worst. How many other bereaved families have had to put up with this?
“It might well have been a busy time for WCRF – as the CEO claims – but have they been so busy that they can’t follow even the most basic data protection principles?
“Fair enough if this letter had come a few weeks after my mother had passed but, this is nearly a year later. According to the latest figures, the charity reported an income of £12,679,739; so why aren’t they willing to pay out just pennies per record to check for deceaseds and goneaways?
“In fact, it does make you wonder, how much of their supporters’ money are WCRF wasting on mailing dead people?”
WCRF has yet to comment.
The move follows similar recent concerns raised by a deceased Brighton man’s family. Not only was he sent a string of strongly worded “final demand” warning letters from TV Licensing nearly six months after he had passed away; a year after he had died, he also received a personalised letter from E.On urging him not to switch to a rival supplier, stating “Hi Leonard, you’re due to leave us soon”.
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