As cliched as it might sound, this year has certainly been unprecedented. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the cancer Community, affecting diagnosis, treatment, and causing many to have to shield or self-isolate away from loved ones. Yet despite all that 2020 has thrown at us, here on the Community we have seen our members pulling together to support each other through what has been an incredibly difficult year for many. At a time where face-to-face support hasn’t been possible, our Community cancer forum has been there night and day as a safe space for anyone who needed comfort, or just a place to be with others walking a similar road. Here on the team we wanted to thank each and every one of our members for all the amazing support they have provided to one another through one of the toughest years. The power of peer support is simply amazing, so we wanted to highlight some of the incredible support that you have provided on the site this year.
January 2020
'I just want to let everyone know what a massive help this forum has been to me as a relative of someone diagnosed. Wishing everyone the absolute best xx' – Basketweaver in the ‘Breast Cancer’ group.
February 2020
‘Your kindness came at the right time and stopped me in my tracks. I want to thank you because you have helped me more than you know.' - Ourgirlinthenorth in the ‘Life after cancer’ group
March 2020
March saw the start of the first National lockdown which lead to many members of the site being told to shield. Everyone on the Community pulled together however, and one member, Lass, started a thread in the ‘Living with incurable cancer – incurable patients only’ group listing ideas for how to keep busy while self-isolating. Other members soon got involved the thread grew and included some amazing resources, such as where to go to watch Broadway shows online, as well as educational websites for children and craft ideas.
One member, Buffbuff, commented saying:
‘OH MY GOODNESS this is fantastic and overwhelming, in a good way, all at once’ – Buffbuff in the 'Living with the incurable cancer - incurable patients only' group.
April 2020
In April some of our members found expressing themselves through poetry on the site was helpful, we wanted to share a few lines from Annie M2’s blog, The 3 c’s:
‘I am fighting on all fronts Cancer Corona and Chemotherapy
But I am lucky you see
Cancer or Corona will not beat me’
May 2020
May this year saw the 3-year anniversary of the AWAKE… thread being created. This thread continues to provide a huge amount of support for all those who need it, day or night.
'Little did you know that fateful night three years ago, what you would create, a space that has supported so many.’ - snowysmum in the ‘Breast cancer’ group
‘I have only been a member of this brilliant group for a short while but it has raised my spirits and made me laugh so much.!! we all have a common enemy and can therefore help each other through these times (both cancer and covid).’ - Kwissy in the ‘Breast cancer’ group
June 2020
The ‘Gardens plants etc. 2020’ thread keep everyone busy in the ‘Living with incurable cancer– incurable patients only’ group. The members of this group sharing photos of their amazing gardening projects throughout the year, including tvman who created an incredible woody scarecrow in the summer!
July 2020
‘I feel your care and support and feel very lucky to be able to vent a bit on here. Hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life!!!!’ – knowledgeispower20 in the ‘Carers only’ group.
August 2020
'Just a quick post to say thank you all for your support and kindness over the last 12 months.
Most of you I didn't meet until we "progressed" into this group, others I encountered along the way when we were carers.
I feel sad that others have to join us, but in a strange way happy to have met you all even in such extremely difficult circumstances.
The understanding that we all have is beyond anything in the "outside" world and you have all helped me enormously.
Without this group I wouldn't have been able to move on from anything and face up to the past.'
– Lizzy-K in the ‘Bereaved spouses and partners’ group.
September 2020
'I'm new here and I have to say that it's amazing to have a space like this!' – Joy3377 in ‘Ask an Information and Support Adviser’
October 2020
'What an absolute sparkling light it is to find this page, I really thought I was the only one going through this, I can’t explain how it has already lifted me. I have spent weeks thinking I really need to speak to people that understand.' – Lee bop in the ‘Supporting someone with incurable cancer’ group
November 2020
'I am becoming more hopeful each day and hearing stories like yours makes it easier.' Maggie T – in the ‘Peritoneal cancer’ group
October 2020
'Some great support I’ve been having a panic too, just finished chemo and surgery in 5 weeks. I was really worried that my surgery would be delayed but you’ve put me at ease too!'
– Birdy71 in the ‘Breast cancer’ group
December 2020
Joeven: ‘To all you fighters out there a Happy Christmas, be it not the best one we’ve ever had, but still keep positive and let’s hope the new year brings us something to cheer about.’ – Prostate cancer group.’
Grundo: ‘If there is anyone that can bring some positivity to our Covid Christmas it is you Joe. I wish you (and everyone) a Happy Christmas and New Year.’ – in the ‘Prostate cancer’ group.
The power of peer support is plain to see in each of these posts, blogs, questions and responses. The Community would not be the supportive place it is without each of our members, so thank you again for everything you do. Why not tag a member that helped you through this year in the Comments below?
Here on the Community team we want to wish each and every one of our members the very best for the New Year. Here’s to 2021, we hope that you continue to find the Community a place of comfort and support now and in the future.
