Macmillan Cancer Support

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities and provides free care and support to people affected by cancer.

It is best known for its funding of 2,500 Macmillan Nurses, specialist nurses who work in hospitals, hospices and the community. The charity also funds 300 doctors in addition to various training posts and other patient support staff such as dietitians, radiographers and clinical psychologists. They have also funded over 100 cancer care centres within the UK, operated by the National Health Service.

The charity was founded, as the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer, in 1911 by Douglas Macmillan following the death of his father from the disease. In 1924 the name was changed to the National Society for Cancer Relief, which it retained until 1989 when it was changed to Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, later changed again to Macmillan Cancer Relief. From 5th April 2006 Macmillan Cancer Relief became known as Macmillan Cancer Support as this more accurately reflects its role in supporting people living with cancer. It has adopted the principles of being a 'source of support' and a 'force for change'.

It grew slowly at first, appointing its first full time staff member as late as 1930, and its first Macmillan Nurse — now the best known of the charity's services — in 1975 and its tenth in 1978.

All its funds are donated by the public, and the charity receives no statutory funding. Macmillan raises approximately £90m per annum and has a wide range of fundraising activities for you to join, for example the World's Biggest Coffee Morning is held in September each year and raises over £6m.