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Dr Richard Taylor – 7th July 1934 – 26th June 2024.
Dr Richard Taylor, known to those at Leukaemia Care as Richard, joined the charity on 3rd October 2009 as President of Leukaemia Care.
Before his role as President, Richard began his medical career as a medical officer for the Royal Air Force, before working as a registrar for appointments in London Hospitals and later became a consultant physician at Kidderminster Hospital, Worcestershire.
Richard was very passionate about the health sector and later in life was a true campaigner for the NHS, his local hospital and the care service.
In early 2000 Richard also became co-chair of the All-Party Local Hospital Group, Vice Chairman of the All-Party Group on Cancer, and Secretary of the All-Party Group on Patient and Public Involvement in Health. His involvement in all these groups shows how passionate he was about campaigning for patient care and the support services available.
In 2014, Richard received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for his service to the community in Worcestershire, especially to Kidderminster Hospital.
As President of Leukaemia Care, Richard attended many events locally and up and down the country. He was a resident chairman of our patient conferences for over a decade and in more recent years he was there to celebrate our 50th anniversary, Royal Visit and Parliament events showcasing our early diagnosis work and the need to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of leukaemia.
Monica Izmajlowicz, COO at Leukaemia Care says “Richard dedicated 15 years as president to Leukaemia Care and was a keen supporter of our patient conferences which he chaired and could always be found table hopping and chatting with patients and their families. A warm and charming person, he was a staunch advocate for leukaemia patients and a man who embodied the six core NHS values of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. We will miss our friend and are grateful he chose to support our work.”
Since announcing the news about the passing of Dr Richard Taylor, we have been inundated with comments in memory of him:
“A greater supporter of Leukaemia Care and a fabulous and witty chair at our conferences as well as a very kind person.”
“A fabulous MP and a stickler for care and compassion in the NHS. He told the most fabulous stories and was great company at LC events. We were lucky to have him.”
“Thank you, Dr Taylor, for all that you did for LC. May you rest in peace”
“RIP Dr Taylor – an amazing ambassador for Leukaemia Care among many other achievements – it was so lovely to speak to him at your events over the years. Thank you to Dr Taylor for all he did for the community!”