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The charity’s origins date back to 1948, following the destruction of London’s Marie Curie Hospital in the Blitz several years earlier. Members of the hospital’s Re-establishment Committee decided that rather than join the new NHS, they would launch an independent foundation to preserve the name of Marie Curie, in the charitable medical field. Marie Curie was a Polish scientist who discovered radium that was later used in the treatment of cancer; she was twice awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her dedicated work. It was the gift of an engagement ring from Council member Alice Macpherson that started the fund - it sold for £75 and the fundraising appeal was begun. An extensive nationwide survey was undertaken to help identify cancer care needs, the results of which formed the basis of the work of the Foundation and, largely, still do today. The charity dedicated itself to:
At the time these ideas were quite revolutionary and the Marie Curie Memorial Foundation quickly established itself as a leader in the field of improving facilities for cancer patients in the community setting. More than sixty years on and Marie Curie Cancer Care has made huge progress in providing more and better care for patients and their families. Much has changed since the pioneering days of 1948 but one core value has remained constant – putting patients and families first. Our dedicated nurses visit terminally ill patients in their own homes providing hands on care and support to both them and their families. This enables the patient to spend their final days at home surrounded by their belongings and the people they love. We have a new evening service covering the Scarborough and Filey areas providing nursing care and advice between the hours of 5pm to 11pm, this has been widely used and has helped to extend our core night service in this area. The local community fundraising office helps to promote the Charity within North & East Yorkshire raising the profile and assisting in numerous and varied fundraising events. All the money raised is used to help provide home nursing care within our local area. The more money raised; the greater the number of nursing hours that can be provided. £20 will pay for one hour’s home nursing care. We are always looking out for people who are prepared to help the work of the charity by volunteering their time in organising fundraising events, helping with collections or perhaps by joining one of our local fundraising groups. We set up a new group in the Pickering area last year and they would welcome more volunteers to join them. For more details of how you can help make a difference to the charity, please contact Michael Streets: Michael.streets@mariecurie.org.uk |