About Us

I want to show that alongside the agony one is also exposed to the greatest of human warmth and emotion, whether it be your sister or a vague acquaintance; I want to show that your mind is a very valuable tool and that you can use it in ways you never thought possible; I want to say that somehow, no matter what the outcome, things work out for the best even if it is not initially obvious.

Karen, after being told she had relapsed.

A message from Sylvia Morris, Karen’s mum and Chair of the KMMT

Welcome to the Karen Morris Memorial Trust, the charity set up to continue the fundraising initiative of my sorely missed daughter who passed away in September 1998, just one year after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Alleviating the emotional pain of a leukaemia diagnosis and treatment is at the heart of what we do. We currently fund four Karen’s Homes from Home for leading leukaemia departments at: Hammersmith Hospital in London, the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with the fifth under discussion for another leading haematology department. Karen’s Homes provide private on site accommodation for 13 families at any one time.  Each is a haven for patients’ families where they can relax in comfortable surroundings and a safe bolt hole for patients when they can escape the cabin fever of the isolation room, even if only for a few hours. And as the treatment for leukaemia moves to daily treatment but without the need to overnight in hospital there is a growing demand from patients themselves to stay.

The Covid pandemic in 2020/2021 severely impacted on our fundraising: existing and potential supporters had other priorities for their donations; occupancy rates, and therefore donations from residents in Karen’s Homes, were down as leukaemia treatment was reduced and where a Karen’s Home offered en suite bedrooms but with a shared living area only 1 person/bubble could stay.  However, during lockdown, Karen’s Homes were made available to grateful NHS staff.

We have also funded a number of complementary treatments for haematology patients which would not otherwise have been available, but which are proven to ease the emotional, and thereby the physical, pain of leukaemia patients and bring some comfort to their nearest and dearest. In each case alternative funding was found to continue the service.

Since 1998 the KMMT has raised almost £3,500,000. With your help we can do even more. Elsewhere on this web site you will find some suggestions on how you can support us – the options are endless. I look forward to hearing from you.

How we raise funds

How we spend funds

Patrons

Matt Lucas

Comedian and Actor

Having been lucky enough to have grown up with Karen, I’m one of many who saw first-hand how she fought her illness with bravery and determination. Most apparent was her desire to help others who were also battling leukaemia. While her loss is still felt by all of us who knew and loved her, her will and spirit live on through the vital work carried out by the Karen Morris Memorial Trust. I am proud to be a KMMT Patron.

Below are Matt Lucas, Chris Tarrant and Sylvia Morris being presented with a cheque for £62,500 which Matt won for the KMMT on Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

Professor Charles Craddock

CBE, FRCP (UK), FRCPath, DPhil, FMedSci

Inspired by Karen’s desire to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for the whole family whilst patients receive intensive therapy the work of the KMMT continues to transform the experience of blood cancer sufferers. The growing national network of Karen’s Homes from Home provides a caring and supportive environment for patients and their carers at this the most challenging of times. In doing so the KMMT allows increasing complex life-saving cancer therapies to be delivered with the full support of friends and family providing a model for 21st Century healthcare.

Trustees

In loving memory…

The Karen Morris Memorial Trust was set up in June 1999 to continue the fundraising initiative of a 23 year old student who passed away on 18th September 1998, just one year after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Before you go…

Karen's Homes are 100% voluntary funded. Click below to offer the hand of hospitality to a family who will treasure your act of kindness.

Donate