Sunday 07 July 2019
Laura Lee named Dame in Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Our Chief Executive Laura Lee has been named Dame, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Laura, who has been at Maggie's for 23 years as CEO, has been recognised for her work ensuring people living with cancer have the emotional support they need alongside their medical care.
I am overwhelmed and humbled to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in this way, but I feel the honour is less in recognition of myself and more an acknowledgement of what Maggie's does.
The difference our centres make to the lives of people with cancer is something I see every time I sit round one of our kitchen tables. Being CEO of such an incredible organisation is a privilege that I never take for granted.
The people I meet every day are the ones who I constantly learn from and we will continue to work to build centres for everyone who needs them.
– Laura Lee
Maggie’s was the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks, who had an idea for a different type of cancer care as she lived with advanced cancer for two years.
She died in 1995, but Laura, Maggie’s nurse and friend, worked with Maggie’s family to ensure her vision became a reality.
"When the first Maggie’s centre opened more than two decades ago the general opinion was that if you got good medical care that was enough, but we know that cancer brings such difficult and complex emotions of uncertainty, loneliness and anxiety that people need support with them.
Their families do as well and that is what Maggie’s does – day after day. We support people to live well with cancer.
We have come a long way but I want to see 60 centres across the UK one day.
I know we will get there and I hope this award means that more people hear about us and come to our centres to get the support they need."
The first Maggie’s centre opened in 1996 in the grounds of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
Under Laura’s guidance the organisation has grown at an incredible rate, despite relying almost entirely on voluntary donations, and there are now 21 centres across the UK, as well as centres in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Barcelona.
Claire Tattersall, 42, from Bo’Ness near Edinburgh, has been supported by Maggie’s Edinburgh since she was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 1997, just before she turned 21.
Living with a cancer diagnosis, especially as a young woman, is really difficult and I don’t know how I would have coped without having the wonderful Maggie’s staff on hand to listen to and answer my questions.
I knew Laura at that time and I think it is extraordinary how, as Maggie’s Chief Executive for the last 23 years, she has worked so hard to ensure thousands of people across the UK and abroad can now visit their nearest Maggie’s and find the support they need. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this recognition more.
– Claire Tattersall
If you have been affected by this announcement, or if someone you know is worried about a cancer diagnosis, we're here with you.
The cancer support we offer is free, and no appointment or referral is needed – just come in.
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