Macmillan centre celebrates 20 years of support to cancer patients

A cancer support centre is celebrating 20 years of support to cancer patients and their families.

The Macmillan Support & Information Centre at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was first opened in 2003. Since then, it has helped just over 41,000 people affected by cancer.

The Macmillan Support & Information Centre is a calm space within the hospital where patients can get cancer information, access therapies and get emotional support by talking to others who are living with cancer. 

The Macmillan Centre also supports the friends, family or carers of people living with cancer.

Run in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support and Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, the Macmillan Support & Information Centre is run by NHS professionals and supported by a team of volunteers.

Daniella Kok, volunteer manager at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital said: “The volunteers here are incredible. 

“Just earlier today, they helped to organise a wedding party on one of the wards for an end-of-life patient. 

“The volunteers provide a listening ear for those who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis, and help in so many other ways, they are integral to our team here at the Macmillan Centre.”

Yvonne Beadle, Macmillan strategic partnership manager for London said: “The Macmillan Support & Information Centre has been managed for the past five years by Alison Boyd, a Registered Nurse and a Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Lead.

“In that time, Alison has worked tirelessly to keep the Macmillan Centre going even when she was seconded to the front lines of the Covid-19 response during the pandemic.”

Pictured top: Alison Boyd, centre manager (right) and Nicola Whiteley, senior sister in Outpatients (left) (Picture: Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.)