Henley Men’s Probus Club: A Deep Dive into Marie Curie’s Vital Work
The Chairman warmly welcomed members and guests to the 510th meeting of the Henley Probus Club. Following a brief club update, which included reports from the Treasurer and Secretary, the Chairman introduced Lorna McGowan. Lorna, an employee of Marie Curie, then delivered a compelling presentation, enhanced by a slide show, about the organization’s invaluable work.
Marie Curie was founded in 1948 in Hampstead, London, with the crucial mission of providing care and support for individuals facing a terminal illness. Today, the organization boasts over 1,800 dedicated nurses. Operating with an annual income of approximately £120 million, entirely generated through charitable contributions, Marie Curie offers vital services. These include Hospice Care at Home, primarily nursing support, and care at its nine hospices located across the UK and Northern Ireland. All services are provided free of charge to patients, with home care available 24 hours a day. Currently, over 7,000 patients receive care from Marie Curie staff within their hospices.
Marie Curie’s core objectives are twofold:
- To campaign for improved care and support for those affected by terminal illness.
- To lead research into more effective methods of patient care
One of the most significant challenges Marie Curie currently faces is the increasing longevity of individuals compared to, for instance, three decades ago. This demographic shift necessitates evolving strategies to meet the growing demand for their services. As a charitable organization, Marie Curie relies entirely on public contributions. For those wishing to support their work, contact details are: telephone 0800 090 2309 and website www.mariecurie.org.uk.
The presentation concluded with a lively question-and-answer session, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks and appreciation from the Club members.