by any terminal illness and their families receive. Every year, the charity awards research project grants in open competition through the Marie Curie Research Grants Scheme. All applications are subject to a process of external peer review before a final decision is made by an independent funding committee. Marie Curie supports and funds the work of two long term Palliative Care Research Facilities across the UK − the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Unit, UCL and the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Cardiff University. It hosts an annual research conference with professionals from across research, policy and health and social care to share the latest evidence and innovation in palliative and end of life care. The charity also encourages research across its hospices and nursing service. To help achieve this, three posts are held through its Research Facilitator Programme at Marie Curie Hospices in Belfast, Edinburgh and the West Midlands. Fundraising Marie Curie adopted the daffodil emblem in 1986 as a positive, resilient, life-affirming symbol, with a bright and joyful yellow colour. Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising campaign is called The Great Daffodil Appeal and takes place throughout March each year. The charity raises money in a variety of ways, including through charity shops, corporate partnerships, philanthropy, mass participation events, social events, direct giving campaigns, digital and TV campaigns, gifts in wills and bucket collections. The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie’s flagship fundraising campaign. Members of the public fundraise and donate, and wear a daffodil in support of the charity and better end of life care for all. On 23 March 2021, Marie Curie led the first National Day of Reflection in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to commemorate the people who had died and support the millions of people who’d been bereaved. This returned for a second year in 2022. References External links Official website Health charities in the United Kingdom Palliative care in the United Kingdom 1948 establishments in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 1948