Maggie’s founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks, drew from her own experience of having cancer to create a new type of cancer care. Maggie was a writer, gardener and designer. When she was 47, Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer and five years later, in May 1993, on a visit to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, she was told that it had returned.
After hearing this, Maggie and her husband Charles Jencks were moved to a windowless corridor where they were left to process the news. They realised the need for somewhere ‘better’ for people diagnosed with cancer to retreat to, outside of but nearby to the hospital. Maggie and Charles designed the blueprint for the Centres together, enlisting the help of some of their friends from the architectural world. The first Maggie’s opened in Edinburgh in 1996, and there are now Centres across the UK and abroad.
Maggie felt that her diagnosis and treatment was as hard on her family as it was on her, so she created a new type of support, a Centre that could make the experience of cancer more manageable for everyone. She believed that with encouragement to become actively involved in treatment, and with the right information and support, people could change the way they live with cancer. Maggie also wanted to bring people together in a calm and friendly space that would help them to find comfort in the experiences of others.
Maggie died shortly before the first centre opened, at the Western General Hospital – but with the support of Charles, her medical team, and her cancer nurse Laura Lee (now Maggie’s CEO), her vision has lived on.
Maggie’s has now grown into a network of Centres built beside NHS hospitals across the UK.Their centres help people to take back control when cancer turns life upside down, offering professional support for anything from treatment side effects to money worries.
We met the co-chairs of the Maggie’s Ladies Lunch committee, Anastasia Baker and Heather Bilimoria, and chatted to Maggie’s Special Events Manager, Samantha Clarke, to find out more about Maggie’s and their fundraising events in 2023.
We’re here for anyone with cancer and their family and friends, whatever kind of cancer, and whatever stage they’re at. There is also no time limit on our support; we’re here for as long as we’re needed.
All our support is free, and no appointment or referral is needed.
We’re here for everyone with cancer. Whilst we don’t provide support for young children, most of our centres run kids days for children who have a parent or family member with cancer. We also provide psychological support for children, including young adults.
Maggie’s can help families cope with the stress of having a child with cancer. Families are welcome to drop into their local centre, and find out how they can be supported including courses, workshops and a chance to talk one to one with someone. We also have support groups for young people, and can signpost families to organisations who provide specialised support for children affected by cancer.
All services and support sessions are free.
Our different support services include:
• Emotional support (speaking with a Cancer Support Specialist, Group Support sessions including cancer-specific networking groups, 1:1 sessions with a Psychologist)
• Help with money worries (1:1 sessions with a Benefits Advisor)
• Courses and Workshops (Managing Stress, Bereavement Support, Creative Writing, Expressive Art, Nutrition, Look Good Feel Better)
• Group exercise classes
• Discussions around the kitchen table
We are a charity entirely funded by the kindness of our donors, fundraising, and gifts in Wills.
You can support people with cancer and their families in many ways: from volunteering to setting up a regular gift, taking part in an event, or fundraising in a way that suits you. If you’d like to find out more, please visit our website and get in touch to find out more information.
One of the largest fundraising events organised on behalf of Maggie’s is the Maggie’s Ladies Lunch. This is an annual event held at the Bluebird Restaurant in Chelsea, with all proceeds going towards the Charity. The Ladies Lunch is a sell-out event with 200 influential women, many of whom are leaders professionally and in their local communities, and has raised over £465,000 for Maggie’s to date (£100,000 in 2022).
Past speakers have included Dame Helena Morrissey, Trinny Woodall, Anne Robinson and Georgia Toffolo ‘Toff, Queen of the Jungle’. Previous guests have included the Duchess of York, actors Hermione Norris, Anna Chancellor, and Maggie’s Patron Janet Ellis. The event often receives coverage in the society pages of Tatler and Harper’s Bazaar.
If you would like to attend the Maggie’s Ladies Lunch on Tuesday 25th April, please get in touch with Laura Leichtfried on 07825 204063) as soon as possible. Tickets are available at £135 each. Tables for 8, 10 or 12 guests are currently on sale. Please contact Maggie’s regarding individual tickets, as these may sell out early.
Maggie’s is also seeking sponsorship for this event, in addition to fabulous fundraising prizes. Maggie’s will tailor the benefits of your sponsorship and prize donation to your specific requirements. This event provides sponsors and prize donors alike with a unique and sought-after marketing opportunity, including logo accreditation and advertising in our souvenir programme, as well as excellent exposure to an exclusive pool of high-net-worth individuals. For more information on how you can support, please contact laura.leichtfried@maggies.org.
Thank you so much for your support.