International Women's Day

Friday 08 March 2024


Women gathered around the kitchen table at Maggie's Royal Marsden

This International Women's Day we remember and celebrate the inspirational women who have made Maggie's what it is today.


Since the opening of our first centre 28 years ago, Maggie's has grown to become a network of cancer support centres across the UK and abroad.

Our beautiful buildings are unique in design and united in purpose: to provide healing spaces for offering our expert cancer support.

Yet it all started with one inspirational woman, Maggie Keswick Jencks, and her own experience with cancer.

Maggie’s philosophy and blueprint for cancer support has been upheld and nurtured to thrive by countless people and wonderful women, without whom none of this would have been possible.

This International Women’s Day, we remember Maggie Keswick Jencks and celebrate her legacy, as well as the women who have been part of it.

And we honour the thousands of women who come through our doors every year – we’re here with you.


How we can help

If you or someone you know is worried about a cancer diagnosis, we have expert staff in our centres available to help you.


Maggie Keswick Jencks

Maggie Keswick Jencks (1941-1995) was diagnosed with breast cancer at 47, and five years later, she was told that it had returned.

After her diagnosis, Maggie and her husband Charles Jencks discussed the need for somewhere 'better' for people with cancer to go, near to the hospital.

"Above all what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying."

Maggie and Charles designed the blueprint for the centres together, and it is still used for centres today.

More about our founders

Stories from our centres

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More news from our centres

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