Marie Curie Cancer Care

Marie Curie Cancer Care is one of the UK’s largest charities. Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, we expect to provide care to around 27,000 terminally ill patients in the community and in our hospices this year, along with support for their families.

We mainly care for people with cancer but we also care for people with other life limiting illnesses. Our services are always free of charge to patients and their families, which means that in 2007-08 we will need to raise more than £115 million.

The charity is best known for its network of Marie Curie Nurses working in the community to provide end-of-life care for patients in their own homes.

Marie Curie Cancer Care was established in 1948 – the same year as the NHS – and marks its 60th anniversary in 2008.

Some useful costs

  • £5.00 pays for bereavement booklets to support 20 children.
  • £20.00 pays for a Marie Curie Nurse for one hour in a patient’s home.
  • £30.00 buys a nurse’s uniform.
  • £135.00 pays for attendance at a Day Therapy unit for one day in a Marie Curie Hospice.
  • £160.00 pays for a full shift for a Marie Curie Nurse in patient’s home.
  • £450.00 pays for Marie Curie Cancer Care’s contribution to the cost of caring for an inpatient in a hospice for a day.
  • £500.00 buys one hour of scientific research.
  • £800.00 pays for a syringe driver.
  • £1,800 pays for pressure relieving mattress.
  • £2,750 cost of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s nationwide nursing service for one hour.