Maggie's Centres were the vision of Maggie Keswick Jencks when she herself was treated for cancer. She recognised the difficulties of accessing information and ongoing support which help people to cope when faced with a diagnosis of cancer. The aim of the Maggie's Centres is to help sufferers be as healthy in mind and body as possible and enable them to make their own contribution to their medical treatment and recovery. The centres are for cancer sufferers, their families, friends and carers aiming to help them to address all aspects of living with cancer. Sufferers can share their experiences with others in similar situations and with professional help inform themselves about the medical realities of their disease. The friendly environment of the centres, close in each case to a major cancer hospital treatment centre invites people to take time out and gives them a non-institutional place they can call their own.