History of ELF:

In the 1970′s Isobel Mitchell developed Leukaemia and was treated at King’s College Hospital in London. The treatment was successful and Isobel survived the disease for about 14 years. Her husband Derek, who was the landlord of ‘The Change of Horses, a local pub in the London Borough of Bromley, was so impressed with the way his wife had been treated,that he decided to raise money to help King’s Haematology Department. This was the beginning of the Elimination of Leukaemia Fund. Initially the Charity operated from Derek’s public house under his chairmanship and raised money locally. 

By 1981 its fundraising had been so successful that it was decided to register the Charity with the Charity Commission. The Charity continued to primarily support King’s but the Charity’s Trust Deed permitted it to make grants elsewhere in the UK and small grants for equipment were made to hospitals in Birmingham and Nottingham.

Values:

ELF’s focus has always been about the care of those affected by blood cancer. They are a small charity that passionately believes people affected by blood cancer come first and their grant giving reflects that.

They have funded additional nursing posts, new facilities and research projects into improved treatments.

Looking to the future, research into patient needs has demonstrated that one of the biggest areas of need is for counselling and psychological support for people with blood cancer and families because treatments can be so long and involve such high levels of isolation. They are working with hospitals to develop these services.

Their investment into improved facilities and better treatments will increase as they work with hospitals to improve the experience for anyone suffering from blood cancer.