Founding father of North Lancashire and South Lakeland charity steps down (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Founding father of North Lancashire and South Lakeland charity steps down
11:43am Tuesday 28th July 2009 in Cancercare By Lizzie Anderson
Professor Malcolm McIllmurray.
A DOCTOR whose desire to address the emotional and spiritual needs of his patients gave rise to the biggest charity of its kind in the UK is stepping down from the board of trustees.
On August 6, Professor Malcolm McIllmurray, 63, will retire as chairman of CancerCare North Lancashire and South Lakeland.
In his final week in the post, he is calling on the NHS for support.
“My main hope for the future is for the charity’s long term security,” said Prof McIllmurray, a retired consultant of oncology, who lives in Over Kellet near Carnforth.
“I hope the National Health Service will recognise that this kind of supportive care is not an optional extra but should be part of statutory provision.
"If they accept that I expect them to make a significant cost towards the cost of running it.”
Twenty-five years ago, when he first hosted a coffee evening for cancer patients and their families, he never dreamt it would grow into a vital organisation providing counselling, advice and therapeutic services to around 1,500 local people every year.
“I had no idea whatsoever it would grow to the extent that it has,” he said.
“I thought it might just continue as a weekly coffee evening.
"However, I think the fact it has grown so much reflects one of our main principles –to grow according to the needs of the people and clearly there is a great need for what CancerCare provides.”
In the early 1980s, services catering for the emotional and spiritual needs of people with life threatening diseases did not exist in the region.
It was this shortage that prompted Prof McIllmurray and a team volunteers and practioners, including nurse and health visitor, Pippa Youren, to take action.
Today, CancerCare remains indebted to a team of dedicated volunteers.
“I am, in a sense, a very small part of the organisation,” said Prof McIllmurray.
“As well as the professional therapists there is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes by an army of volunteers offering a wealth of expertise, knowledge and help.”
He said the acquisition of CancerCare’s centres –Slynedales on Slyne Road, Lancaster, and the Lakes Centre at Blackhall Road, Kendal, were among his most cherished moments and urged local people to continue to support the £2.1m Silver Jubilee Appeal to improve and expand these facilities.
For more information about CancerCare and the Silver Jubilee Appeal visit the website below or call 01524-381820.
