Cicely Mary Saunders was born in 1918 in London, UK. She first studied political and social sciences at St Anne's College in Oxford, but dropped out after two years. Saunders moved to King's College in London to train as a nurse. After graduating, Saunders became a medical social worker. In 1957, she obtained her medical degree. Dr Saunders focused on palliative care for patients in their final stages of life. In doing so, she asked politicians at home and abroad for help to tackle this problem. Dr Saunders gave a new and broad interpretation to the practice of bereavement counselling.

In 1967, Dr Saunders founded St Christopher's Hospice. She ran this centre that had become famous for its humanitarian care until 1985. In that year, Dr Saunders became chairman of the foundation's board. Queen Elizabeth II appointed Dr Saunders as Dame Commander O.B.E. in 1979. In the 1980s, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced its official adoption of St Christopher's Hospice's methods. Dame Saunders died at her St Christopher's Hospice in South London in 2005. Her motto was based on that of a patient: "I will be a window in your home", an open window to the light. Dame Saunders is considered one of the founders of the modern hospice movement and palliative care.