Bute House hosts special reception to mark 30 years of Maggie’s

The reception marks 30 years since the first Maggie’s centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, and the expert support provided to millions of people and their families and friends since then.

Maggie Keswick Jencks developed the blueprint for the first centre while she was living with advanced cancer. Following Maggie's death in July 1995, Dame Laura Lee DBE, who had been Maggie’s chemotherapy nurse, worked with her family to ensure her vision became a reality.

There are now 27 Maggie's centres across the UK, including eight centres across Scotland. Maggie’s announced in August that a further centre will be built in Dumfries and Galloway, where Maggie was from.

Maggie’s children, Lily and John Jencks, joined supporters, ambassadors and local volunteers to celebrate the milestone at Bute House, the official residence and workplace of the first minister of Scotland.

Maggie's 'vital in delivering Scotland's Cancer Strategy'

First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government’s Cancer Strategy sets out a long-term commitment to improving care at every stage. Maggie’s plays a vital role in helping to deliver that ambition by providing practical, emotional and psychological support that complements NHS clinical care.

“We are proud to support Maggie’s. Our prehabilitation pilot supported more than 2,600 people, and prehabilitation is now a core offer across all of Maggie’s Scottish Centres – a powerful example of the NHS and charities working together to improve people’s experiences of care.

“On World Cancer Day, marked under the theme “United by Unique”, which recognises that every experience of cancer is different, I want to thank every staff member, volunteer, fundraiser, partner and supporter who has shaped Maggie’s over the last 30 years.”

Looking forward to the next 30 years

During the reception, Dame Laura Lee DBE described Maggie’s vision for cancer care and how it has grown over the last 30 years:

“It was an honour to be invited to Bute House to celebrate three decades of Maggie’s and how the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks over 30 years ago has helped so many people in our 27 centres across the UK impacted by cancer.

“Maggie's vision has guided us from the moment our doors opened in 1996 and will continue to resonate as we look to the future and support more people and their families impacted by cancer.

Thanks to Maggie, people now have a place of calm to come to, space to find expert support, and a place that helps them find joy.

“Maggie’s should be an immense source of pride for people in Scotland, and we look forward to the continued support from the government and people of Scotland as we look to the next three decades.”

Here for 30 years, here for good

Everyone with cancer deserves a place like Maggie’s. We want to continue to grow so that we can support everyone impacted by cancer in the UK.

It costs nothing to come into one of our centres - but it takes your kind donations to keep us free of charge for everyone living with cancer and their family and friends.

Become a Friend of Maggie's by donating, fundraising for us or getting involved, and help Maggie’s to be here today, tomorrow and always.