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SNP MSP Graeme Dey says there is no doubt that Marie Curie staff do a tremendous job.

Mr Dey says the charity provides care but all that comes at a cost which is why the fundraisers are necessary. 

The SNP MSP says "there are currently 24,000 bereaved children in Scotland" and many are missing out on care and support. 

• People were more likely to die outside hospital if they had an anticipatory care plan (KIS)
• It is estimated that 30% of people in Scottish hospitals are in their last year of life
• People in the last 6 months of life spend anywhere between 10 and 22 days in hospital

• Carers say seven out of every 10 people with a terminal illness in the UK do not get all the care and support that they need
• Those over the age of 85, those that live alone, those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, and those from deprived communities are all less likely to access palliative care
• 2,500 parents die leaving 4,100 bereaved children every year in Scotland
• There are currently 24,000 bereaved children in Scotland

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Colin Smyth also praise the fantastic work of Marie Curie and the charity's wonderful nurses.

Ms Smyth says Linda Fabiani was quite right to highlight the work of the volunteers.

He says says some of the volunteers from the South of Scotland are in the gallery, but says he will refrain from speculating if any Prosseco has been imbibed.

The Labour MSP calls for more research into cancer and he calls for more detail on how the government will support discussions around death.

SNP MSP George Adam says he feels a closeness to the Marie Curie charity because of the fundraisers.

Mr Adam says this is a big day for the fundraisers from his constituency who are in the gallery and he could tell from their Twitter feeds that it is a big day for them. 

"There is nothing wrong with having a bottle of Prosecco on your way to Edinburgh," he says looking towards the gallery. 

Mr Adam says his own mother had cancer and ended up in the Accord hospice but he was told at one point that she had missed the window of opportunity to get there.

"My reaction was that I was going to pick her up and take her there myself," he says, "what a difference it made to her spending her last days and hours there."

Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist and one of the most famous scientists of her time. 

Together with her husband Pierre, she was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1903, and she went on to win another in 1911.  

Marie devoted herself to continuing the work that they had begun together. 

She received a second Nobel Prize, for Chemistry, in 1911.  

The Curie's research was crucial in the development of x-rays in surgery. 

She died on 4 July 1934 from leukaemia, caused by exposure to high-energy radiation from her research. 

It was Marie Curie's daughter Eve who gave the charity permission to use her mother's name. 

Tory MSP Donald Cameron pays warm tribute to all the volunteers and staff of Marie Curie.

Mr Cameron says Marie Curie was truly an international women of great stature, making this an apt day for the debate as it is International Women's Day.

He says Marie Curie was the first women to win a Nobel Prize.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says Marie Curie is a "fantastic charity" and "you simply cannot put a price on the work that they do".

Ms Mackay says there are countless ways for people to get involved in the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal. 

The SNP MSP says Marie Curie has nine hospices across the UK, making it the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS. 

• It is estimated that around 46,000 of the 57,500 people who die each year need some palliative care in Scotland
• People with a non-cancer terminal diagnosis are significantly less likely to be identified for palliative care

• People with terminal cancer are much more likely to get anticipatory care plans, with 75% identified compared with 66% of those dying with dementia/frailty and only 41% dying from organ failure
• The number of people dying in Scotland is due to increase by 17% over the next 25 years
• Over 50% of people currently die in Scottish hospitals, but the majority would prefer to die at home or in a homely setting

Ms Fabiani concludes saying to all the Marie Curies volunteers and nurses "wear your daffodils with pride because you deserve to".

Image source, bbc

Ms Fabiani says another issue is around mental health and she points to the mental health strategy to be published shortly.

The SNP MSP says she cannot begin to imagine the mental strain of providing palliative care to someone you love very, very much.

She praises Marie Curie's mental health and wellbeing approach.

Ms Fabiani says Marie Curie volunteers provide one-to-one emotional support, companionship and information for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Image source, Marie Curie

The SNP MSP says terminal illness can be a lonely and isolating experience and that the Helper service can help tackle social isolation, loneliness and associated mental health issues.

She says there are 37 Marie Curie shops in Scotland and she applauds the work of staff and volunteers across the organisation.