Cicely Saunders

Early Life and Background

Dame Cicely Mary Strode Saunders was born on June 22, 1918, in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England. She was the eldest of three children in a middle-class family. Her father, Gordon Saunders, was a land commissioner, and her mother, Mary Foster Saunders, was a housewife. Cicely's early life was marked by a comfortable but somewhat austere upbringing, which imbued in her a sense of duty and compassion from a young age.

Educated at Roedean School, an independent boarding school in Brighton, Saunders initially intended to study politics, philosophy, and economics at Oxford University. However, after a brief period at Oxford during World War II, she redirected her career path towards nursing, spurred by a profound sense of calling to help those in need. She completed her nursing training at the Nightingale School of Nursing at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

Career Beginnings and Development

Saunders embarked on her career in nursing during the tumultuous years of World War II. Following back problems that prevented her from continuing in clinical nursing, she pursued a degree in social work. This switch laid the foundation for her future in palliative care. While working as an almoner, she encountered a Polish Jewish refugee, David Tasma, whose struggle with terminal cancer profoundly impacted her. Saunders decided to dedicate herself to improving care for the terminally ill.

Major Works, Discoveries, and Accomplishments

After completing her medical degree at St Thomas's Hospital Medical School, Saunders founded St. Christopher's Hospice in 1967. This was the first facility to combine the treatment of pain and holistic care, taking into account the emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of its patients.

Saunders developed the concept of "total pain," incorporating the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual anguish that patients experience. Her hospices were a place of research and education, influencing palliative care services worldwide. Her methodology revolutionized care for the dying, ensuring dignity and comfort for patients and families during the end of life.

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Throughout her life, Saunders received numerous accolades for her pioneering work. She became Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1980. She was also awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1981, recognizing her contributions to spiritual aspects of medicine.

Personal Life

In her personal life, Saunders married Polish-born Marian Bohusz-Szyszko, an artist, in 1980 after many years of friendship and collaboration on hospice projects. The marriage marked a new chapter of emotional enrichment in her life while continuing her professional work.

Legacy and Historical Impact

Cicely Saunders left behind an indelible legacy as the figurehead of the hospice movement. St. Christopher's Hospice became a model replicated worldwide, influencing palliative care and end-of-life care practices. Her holistic approach changed societal perceptions about death and dying, emphasizing the importance of quality of life for the terminally ill.

Her writings, lectures, and teachings have inspired generations of healthcare professionals. As a result, palliative care has become an integral part of the medical curriculum and hospital care strategies globally.

Later Life and Death

Dame Cicely Saunders continued contributing to the field of palliative care until her later years. She passed away at the age of 87 on July 14, 2005, at St. Christopher's Hospice, the very place she founded. Her death marked the end of an era but left a rich legacy in hospice and palliative care.