Maggie's opens tenth centre supporting people affected by cancer in South West Wales 

Maggie's South West Wales replaces interim service on the site of Swansea's Singleton Hospital

Maggie's is delighted to open its first purpose built centre in Wales. Maggie's South West Wales, located beside the Singleton Hospital in Swansea is set to provide anybody affected by cancer with support that complements the treatment provided by the hospital.

Maggie's South West Wales' position next to the South West Wales Cancer Centre allows it to support the South West Wales Cancer Network. This region currently sees more than 3,000 new cases of cancer of diagnosed each year.

Hear Centre Head Debbie Horrigan, visitors Mark Haskins and Jean Page and architect Wendy James talk about the new centre in the video below.


The centre was designed by Dr Kisho Kurokawa, a Japanese architect and a close friend of Maggie's Keswick Jencks. His design was based on the concept of a cosmic whirlpool, representing a strong symbol of life. Sadly Dr Kisho Kurokawa was unable to see his vision completed; following his death in October 2007, Architects Thore Garbers and Wendy James of Garbers & James undertook the project and completed the work as excutive architects. The landscape surrounding the building has been created by Kim Wilkie.

The late Dr Kisho Kurokawa said: “The new Maggie’s Centre will come out of the earth and swing around with two arms like a rotating galaxy. One side will welcome the visitor and lead to the other side, which embraces nature, the trees, rocks and water. A place set apart, as Maggie said of a garden. The connection to the cosmos and contacts between East and West – two motives that Maggie and I shared – are in the design. I hope she would have liked it.”

Maggie’s Chief Executive Laura Lee said: “People across the region have put a tremendous effort into fundraising to make this centre a reality and today the local community should be proud of the lasting legacy they have created for the thousands affected by the devastating consequences of cancer. We are also grateful to the Welsh Assembly who gave £1.5m to the project. Maggie’s proven programme of support will act as an antidote to the isolation and despair of a cancer diagnosis. The late architect Dr Kisho Kurokawa and landscape architect Kim Wilkie have conceived a truly unique environment, which will help to facilitate this support, by making people feel safe, inspired and valued. Under one extraordinary roof, Maggie’s will help people to find their way out of the hopelessness of cancer.”

Full press release