Macmillan Cancer Support
Encyclopedia
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charities
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and provides specialist health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, information and financial support to people affected by cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
As well as helping with the medical needs of people affected by cancer, Macmillan also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care
Oncology
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer...
. Macmillan Cancer Support's goal is to reach and improve the lives of everyone living with cancer in the UK.
History
The charity was founded, as the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer, in 1911 by Douglas MacmillanDouglas Macmillan
Douglas Macmillan MBE was a civil servant and charity founder. He was the seventh of eight children of William Macmillan and his wife Emily...
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 5 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".
Douglas Macmillan was a vegetarian. In 1909, he wrote an open letter to all Christians entitled Shall We Slay which encouraged orthodox Christians to consider vegetarianism.
As the National Society for Cancer Relief, the organization provided funding to support the work of the Breast Care and Mastectomy Association of Great Britain which would later become Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care is a charity in the UK that provides information, practical assistance and emotional support to anyone affected by breast cancer. The organization was founded in 1972 by Betty Westgate who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1968...
.
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the 50 largest UK charitable organizations ranked by annual expenditure. It is governed by a Board of Trustees
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
and Executive Management Team.
The charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
's head office
Head Office
Head Office is a 1985 American comedy film, produced by HBO Pictures in association with Silver Screen Partners. It stars Judge Reinhold, Eddie Albert, Lori-Nan Engler, Jane Seymour, Richard Masur, Michael O'Donoghue, Ron Frazier, Merritt Butrick and was directed and written by Ken...
is based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Macmillan Cancer Support merged with cancer information charity Cancerbackup in 2008.
Macmillan works in partnership with other cancer research organisations and is a partner of the National Cancer Research Institute
National Cancer Research Institute
The National Cancer Research Institute is a partnership between the government, charity and industry in the United Kingdom that takes a strategic planning role in co-ordinating cancer research...
.
Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support supports local information and support centres, cancer support groups, benefits advisers and cancer support specialists, and can help with practical, medical, financial and emotional support.Macmillan nurses
Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist nurses — Nurses — who are present in many large UK hospitals. There are over 3000 Macmillan nurses across the UK, working both in hospitals and in the community. Macmillan nurses are registered nursesRegistered nurse
A registered nurse is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program at a university or college and has passed a national licensing exam. A registered nurse helps individuals, families, and groups to achieve health and prevent disease...
with at least five years' experience, including two or more years in cancer or palliative care
Palliative care
Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients...
. They also complete specialist courses in managing pain and other symptoms, and in psychological support.
Macmillan nurses are usually employed by the NHS and their posts are funded by Macmillan for a set time, commonly the first three years. After that time, the long-term funding is taken up by the NHS or other partner organisations. The nurses work in NHS hospitals and the community, but are not usually associated with private health care.
Some Macmillan nurses specialise in particular cancer types or treatments. For example, Macmillan chemotherapy nurses give chemothemotherapy treatment to patients, and help them to cope with the side effects that may occur. Macmillan breast cancer nurses support women from the screening and diagnosis stage helping them to make informed decisions. They provide support for the child and parents at home and in hospital, and help to keep children at home with their families as much as possible.
Events
Macmillan host a series of annual fundraising events, which include running and golf events. The most notable event is World's Biggest Coffee MorningWorld's Biggest Coffee Morning
World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's flagship fundraising event. Each year, members of the general public host their own coffee morning, which primarily take place within the UK where the charity operates, although events are held worldwide...
, which has generated £60million since it began in 1991.
External links
- Macmillan Cancer Support website
- Macmillan nurse fact sheet
- Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge
- Macmillan Cancer Support Facebook
- Macmillan Cancer Support Twitter
- Learn Zone - resources and e-learningE-learningE-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...
programmes for professionals and people affected by cancer. - Cancer Voices - a network to share cancer experiences and campaign for change.