Putting People First: Our Visit to King’s College Hospital
At the end of October, a group from LIBRA Lions visited King’s College Hospital to hear directly from the doctors, therapists and researchers we help to fund. We often talk about “supporting haematology at King’s,” but this visit was a brilliant reminder of what that really means in practice – and how far-reaching your donations actually are.
More Than Medicine
What struck us most was how much the team focused on the holistic side of care. Of course, King’s is leading the way in treatments for leukaemia, myeloma, sickle cell disease and other blood disorders – but the staff made it very clear: treatment isn’t just about drugs, tests and machines. It’s about people.
We heard how patients are offered counselling and psychological support right from diagnosis – a time when many people feel frightened, overwhelmed and full of questions. That support doesn’t stop there. It continues through chemotherapy, transplants, complications, and even into remission, when patients are often expected to “get back to normal” but may still be processing what they’ve been through.
The team spoke about real-life challenges patients face:
- money worries after time off work
- juggling treatment with family or caring responsibilities
- talking to children about illness
- planning for the future, including end-of-life care
- rebuilding confidence after months in hospital
They also explained how they sometimes work with local authorities and support services to make sure patients aren’t left to cope alone once they leave hospital.
Where LIBRA Comes In
One of the most encouraging parts of the visit was hearing staff explain how LIBRA funding helps them do all of this. Your donations don’t just buy equipment (although that’s vital), they also help create better spaces for patients, fund items that make long treatments more bearable, and support roles that allow staff to give more time to the emotional side of care.
We were especially moved by the patients who spoke to us. They shared how items funded by LIBRA – from ward improvements to more comfortable treatment areas – had made a real difference to their experience at King’s. It was powerful to hear, in their own words, that these “extras” aren’t extras at all; they help people feel safe, seen and cared for.
Why This Matters
Blood cancers and disorders can turn life upside down in an instant. What we heard at King’s was that good care isn’t just about treating the illness, it’s about helping people live with it. That’s exactly the kind of work LIBRA Lions exists to support.
To everyone who donates, fundraises, or champions LIBRA: this is what your generosity does. It gives doctors and therapists the tools to care for the whole person – body, mind and family.
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