Maggies

Today, after school, we all went to Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in the West End.

The other day the girls unexpectedly came home with a ton of money after trawling the neighbours telling them they were collecting for cancer. Once we explained to them that they would be unable to keep any of it, not even a little bit of it, we decided to give it to Maggie's. Barry's mum had used their service in the last few months of her life and they were a wonderful resource. It turns out that they receive no government aid at all and rely solely on fundraising and donations.

I also controversially think the 'finding a cure' research is a big money making pharmaceutical companies dream and do not want to contribute to that. We really need to start focusing on preventative research and looking into environmental factors and foods that cause cancer rather than yet another vaccine with unknown side effects that will line the pockets of corporate bigwigs. Have you heard the term Pinkwashing? Making money off the back of a very serious disease by sticking a pink ribbon on toxic chemical ridden items just makes no sense to me. Much like the centre today offering aspartame laden juice and (as kind as it was) doling out a bag of sugary chocolatey goodies to the girls. The irony was not lost on me.

All that controversy aside, the new Centre is located high up overlooking Glasgow and has been amazingly custom-built with aesthetic and peaceful vibes with many beautifully crafted rooms for rest play and gatherings. There are two lovely dining tables and a kitchen for a homely safe feeling and even the toilets are designed to feel welcoming and more bathroom like rather than functional and cold.

The two staff members, who stayed back especially to greet our girls, were kind and patient and had quite unexpectedly prepared two wee goodie bags, along with certificates, to say thank you. They coped brilliantly with my girls exuberance and enthusiasm for their centre and gave us all a guided tour of their new facility.

It is so important to have a place where people can go for advice, health and benefit and support for day to day living. 'Maggie’s provides emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer and their families and friends'. It's a vital centre and has helped thousands of families since it opened in 2002.

We will certainly be raising money for them in the future.