Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2009 | Page 122

life

LOCAL BUSINESS

‘Celebrating 60’
Marie Curie Cancer Care marks it’s 60th Anniversary
The story starts in the Blitz, with the
destruction of London’s Marie Curie
Hospital. In 1948, members of the
hospital’s Re-establishment Committee
decided that rather than join a new
NHS, they would launch an independent
foundation to preserve the name of Marie
Curie in the charitable medical field. Led
by Squadron Leader Bernard Robinson,
they founded the Marie Curie Memorial
Foundation. The gift of an engagement
ring from Council member, Alice
Macpherson started the fund - it sold for
£75.
Speaking in a radio interview in 1977,
Bernard Robinson recalled those early
days. ‘Response to our appeal encouraged
us to think that there was a wealth of
support, despite the fact that all the
Jimmies in the world said you’re faced
with a health service and the competition
is too great and you can’t win.’

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A survey into the needs of cancer
patients across the UK showed an
urgent need for home nursing, as well as
specialist residential homes (now Marie
Curie Hospices).
At first, the charity funded home nursing
through its welfare grants system. But in
the late 1950’s the charity’s Day and Night
Service was offering care from dedicated
Marie Curie Nurses. This much needed
service continued to grow and now cares
for over 27,000 patients a year.
The charity opened its first residential
home for cancer patients - Hill of Tarvit
in Cupar in Fife in 1952. More followed
and by the late 1980’s homes were moving
in to the field of specialist palliative care.
A research section was opened at the
Marie Curie Home in Caterham, Surrey
in 1961 and then moved to Oxted where
the Marie Curie Research Institute
continues to this day, with it’s pioneering

investigations into the causes of cancer.
The charity has always enjoyed great
support from the public - Innovative
appeals brought in the money needed to
fund its growth. Last year the charity
raised £120 million nationwide to fund
more nursing, hospice care and research.
On the Isle of Wight, we have 14
dedicated nurses and health care
assistants, who last year were able to
care for 112 patients in their own homes,
providing 4,409 hours of much needed
support to patients and their families.
The shift patterns vary and cover days,
evenings and nights. The night shift starts
at 10pm, giving the family some respite
care, so they can go to bed knowing their
loved one is well cared for. Both the
patients and the family have the chance
to discuss their worries and fears, with a
sympathetic professional who has time
to listen and give advice. Many who have

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