Following last month's 'Meet the Champs' Q&A with LexiT7, this month we meet smrichie5, who’s one of the latest additions to our Community Champions team. You'll find smrichie5 champing our Anal cancer group – offering members support, sharing experiences, and generally being a listening ear for those who need it.
I joined the Community after I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in March 2018. Due to the rarity of my cancer, I knew it was going to be hard to connect with people going through the same experience. I felt really isolated and was desperate to find someone else with the same cancer. I spent a lot of time searching on social media and it was via Instagram that I spotted a Macmillan post which then led me to the website. I had no idea Macmillan had an Online Community for every type of cancer and I cannot tell you the relief I felt when I was able to connect and talk with other anal cancer patients. I used the Community regularly for my own support throughout treatment and beyond. When I was given the all clear in September 2018, I felt strongly that I needed to use my experience to support and help others to be better informed.
"I cannot tell you the relief I felt when I was able to connect and talk with other anal cancer patients."
There have been a few! My first highlight was meeting a fellow anal cancer patient who was starting treatment on the same date as myself. We exchanged mobile numbers and texted each other every day throughout treatment and beyond. It was fantastic to be able to share my experiences with someone who understood and really helped me to feel less alone.
Another highlight was stumbling upon a blog written by a group of anal cancer survivors ‘The Bumlanders!’ It was a brilliant ‘no frills’ account of what to expect but written with added humour. It really helped to lighten the load and normalise the whole experience.
My third highlight was being approached by Macmillan to become a Community Champion. Something I felt proud and privileged to be asked to do and something that I enjoy and find deeply rewarding. Thank you, Macmillan!
"Everything is temporary."
3. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Everything is temporary, it will get better.
4. If you could offer one piece of advice to a Community newbie (patient, family member, friend or carer), what would it be?
My advice to a patient would be, “Don’t be afraid to talk about cancer openly, it takes away the fear and helps to normalise it.” Oh and, “Don’t visit Doctor Google – it rarely ends well.”
My advice to a carer would be “Give them space, educate yourself about their type of cancer and don’t ask what help they need, just do!”
5. Who’s your hero and why?
My lifelong hero has and always will be Doris Day. However, through my cancer experience I have a new hero – Deborah James, AKA bowelbabe. This woman has stage 4 bowel cancer but doesn’t allow it to stop her from living a full life. Look her up on Instagram or Facebook. She is an amazing, inspiring woman and a beacon of hope for anyone effected by cancer. When I was first diagnosed I naturally had lots of dark thoughts. I came across bowelbabe and her positive attitude and zest for life changed my perception of life with cancer and made me realise it wasn’t all going to be doom and gloom.
In addition, Deborah does a lot of running and this has inspired me to do the NHS Couch to 5k programme. On Sunday 7th July, I ran ‘Race for Life’ 5k and raised over £2,500 for Cancer Research. In September I will be running 10k at Hever Castle, Kent for Macmillan.
6. Tell us random fact about yourself.
When I was a teenager I had a huge crush on the actor Mel Gibson. So much so, that I gave myself the middle name Melanie. I still use it to this day!
In case any members or users of the Community weren't totally sure what a Community Champion is, our Champs are a group of dedicated Community members who've volunteered to keep an extra close eye on the site for us. Our Champs welcome new members to the Community, ensure they're comfortable using the site, offer fantastic support and show members in the direction of appropriate groups, and further support when it's needed.
