It was a pleasure to attend the Maggie's Parliamentary Reception to hear more about the charity's work at such a pivotal moment in its journey.
Maggie's is marking 30 years of providing psychological and practical support to people affected by cancer, along with their friends and families. Maggie's has transformed expectations of cancer care, offering a welcoming space where anyone can drop in without an appointment and access support from clinical psychologists, benefits advisors, and cancer support specialists.
During my own breast cancer journey in 2023/2024, I experienced first-hand the challenges, uncertainty, and emotional impact that a cancer diagnosis can bring. That experience gave me a profound understanding of how important services like Maggie’s are in offering support to people affected by cancer and their families when they need it most.
Looking ahead, Maggie's is focused on expanding its reach across the UK, with a major milestone being the new Maggie's centre planned for the grounds of Maidstone Hospital.
Planning permission has now been granted, with the centre expected to be supporting people by 2028.
Once open, the Kent centre is expected to support around 11,000 people diagnosed with cancer each year in the region, alongside their loved ones, with approximately 20,000 visits annually.
This will be another fantastic example of the work Maggie's does on the ground in Maidstone and Malling, and I remain committed to supporting them as they continue to grow and develop.
