In 1911 a young man named Douglas Macmillan watched his father die of cancer. His father's pain and suffering moved him so much that he founded the ‘Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer’, with the aim of providing advice and information for all people living with cancer as well as homes for patients at low or no cost, and nurses to attend to patients in their own homes.

Today, although the name may have changed, much of Douglas's legacy lives on. Macmillan continues to be a source of help not only to the patients who live with cancer, but also to their carers, their families and communities, supporting them every step of the way, funding nurses and other specialist health care professionals, providing support at home, precious time off for a carer, a lift to hospital. Macmillan provides emotional support, listening and advising, giving financial help as well, grants for anything from heating bills to travel costs and benefits advice.

Macmillan is a force for change, learning from the people who are living with cancer and using this knowledge to make a positive difference to their lives in so many ways, anything from getting a coffee machine installed in a waiting room, to bringing about changes in the law.

Local people have benefited from the Macmillan Information Centre at the Aylesford Unit, Warwick Hospital, and the Macmillan Benefits and Welfare Rights Advice Service which has recently been launched at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Leamington Spa.

Karen Shortt the Area Adviser writes that Macmillan relies on its supporters for 97% of its income and could not function without the help provided by the local committees and the many volunteers. Since 1994 the Wellesbourne Committee has raised over £128,000.