Squadron Leader Bernard Robinson
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. 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 dismal Jimmies in the world said you're faced with the health service and the competition's too great and you can't win,” he said.
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:
- providing specialist homes for the care of cancer patients
- providing nursing for patients at home
- educating the public on the symptoms and treatment of cancer
- providing urgent welfare needs
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.
Sixty years on and Marie Curie Cancer Care has made huge progress in providing more and better care for patients and their families. It is at the forefront of scientific and palliative care research; its Supporting the Choice to Die at Home campaign is ensuring that the needs of the dying remain on the political agenda and the six Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme projects are ensuring measures are in place to enable people real choice over place of care and death.
Much has changed since the pioneering days of 1948 but one core value has remained constant – putting patients and families first.
July 2008
