Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Tell us about your perfect summer- This or that quiz

We want to know what you consider a perfect summer. From ice lollies to sunsets on the beach, complete our summer 'This or That' quiz. How to play the interactive quiz Use the voting buttons to choose your answer from the multiple choices shown. You are welcome to answer all questions or just a few. Once you have voted for your answer, you will be able to see how many others chose the same answer as you. Quiz We hope you had fun doing the above quiz. Why not share your summer plans with us in the comment box below.

Megan- Online Community Team
Peer support and cancer: reflections from a Community Champion

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and may leave many feeling lost. Peer support can be a lifeline, offering comfort, guidance, and hope. We recently reached out to some of our Community Champions to share their views on peer support, and their experiences in Macmillan’s Online Community. In honour of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day (27/07), we are going to hear from Beesuit in this blog. She has been a Community champion for 3 years, helping us keep the Head and Neck cancer forum safe and supported. In this blog, Beesuit shares some experiences and wisdom on the importance of peer support, memorable moments in the forum, and invaluable advice for those navigating their cancer journey. The importance of peer support for those affected by cancer “You have Cancer.” You…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Writing for healing

Have you thought about diarising your personal experiences? Lots of people find it helpful to diarise their own experiences, either by setting up a personal blog on the Online Community or by using a pen and paper. In this blog we will help you set up your own blog and share information about the benefits of diarising your experiences. How can writing help? Writing can be a powerful tool. It can help you express yourself in a healthy way and make sense of how you are feeling. People use writing for emotional healing as lots of deep emotions can be felt when being affected by cancer. Journalling and writing down your thoughts is a personal coping mechanism that can be used in daily life to support your mental health. “Have you tried journalling? I find writing it all out is…

Megan- Online Community Team
Telling your kids about cancer – experiences from the Online Community

Getting prepared Telling children about a cancer diagnosis can feel like you’re giving them a terrible burden to carry. Although it’s a conversation that no parent, guardian, or carer ever hopes to have with their children, it doesn’t always result in the negative impact we might assume. While there’s no right or wrong way to have this conversation, there are some general points to consider that may help you to have the most constructive conversations possible. The goal of this blog is to explore some of those important pointers by highlighting examples that members have shared with the Online Community over the years. If you or someone you know needs to share difficult news with children, we hope the quotes featured below will provide you with some inspiration, reassurance, and hope…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Breaking the news

Do you need help telling your family and friends about your cancer diagnosis? Read this blog for some friendly advice from those who have been there, it may help you break the news. This blog is a collection of lived experiences from our forums. We have gathered a collection of posts where members share how they told their family members and close friends about their cancer diagnosis. Talking about cancer It’s natural to worry about telling others you have cancer. Talking about cancer is probably something you never thought you would need to do, but now you find yourself thinking about how you are going to tell your family and friends you have cancer. It’s not easy starting difficult conversations but we are here to help. Who you tell is your choice and you shouldn’t feel any pressure…

Megan- Online Community Team
“It’s their job to fight the cancer. Your job is to look after your body and soul and stay sane”: Insights from a Macmillan Online Community Champion

November is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month. A time to raise awareness and support for those affected by mouth cancers. We wanted to take the chance to highlight our Head and Neck Cancer Forum , where members can connect, share experiences, and find support from others who understand what they’re going through. In this blog, we’re sharing insights from MikeO . He joined the Community shortly after his diagnosis and now plays an important role as one of our Community Champions, helping our team keep the Head and Neck Cancer forum safe and supportive. When I got my first cancer diagnosis, in 2013, I found out fairly quickly that I was nothing special. Surgery (neck dissection), and radiotherapy (seven weeks) with a dash of chemo thrown in was a well-worn path. I was scared, and my family were…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Winter Picture Festival 2024

You may remember our Winter Picture Festival , where many of you have shared what winter looks like for you. Across the site, we know many of our members love sharing pictures from their walks, crafts, pets and paintings. The Winter Picture Festival is a celebration of your creativity, and an opportunity to bring joy to yourself and other members here on the Online Community. This year, we’ve decided to host another Winter Picture Festival! To join in with the Winter Picture Festival, all you need to do is upload a picture in the "Winter Picture Festival" discussion thread . We’ve set up a discussion thread in the “Express Yourself” forum . We’d love to see everyone getting involved using the “Reaction” buttons to let other members know you liked their picture! It would be lovely see…

Eliza -Online Community Team
New cost of living resources from Macmillan

Lots of people are feeling anxious about the cost of living crisis in the UK. The media recently reported on a Macmillan survey which showed that hundreds of thousands of cancer patients are struggling with rising costs of living. You can read that article here. We've also seen members of the Community start sharing some of those worries across the forums. "My back garden is on a bit of a slope so I no longer hang my washing out as frightened of slipping on steps up to washing line when carrying it, so use my tumble dryer most of the time. Dread to think what my energy bills will be this winter!" "It is all a worry. I think a lot of us face the dilemma of going without food or heat in the coming months" Community members, Express Yourself forum Here on the Community, you can talk…

Steph - Online Community Team
Catching up with the Family and Friends group

A family member’s or a friend’s diagnosis can have a huge impact on your life. It’s natural to want to find support for yourself while you’re supporting a loved one with cancer. Here in the Community, we have lots of different groups where you can chat to people who may have a similar cancer diagnosis to your family member. These are all safe spaces to ask questions and find support. However, sometimes it can be really helpful to be able to talk to other people who can understand how you feel as a friend or relative. That’s why we also have our “Family and friends” group . In the Community News blog today, we’re going to feature some recent discussions from the group and show you what members have been talking about recently. Remember you can click the links underneath each post to go to the…

Eliza -Online Community Team
On the road to recovery

Like many roads and paths in life, being on the road to recovery after cancer treatment isn’t always straight forward. Every path is different and everyone’s road to recovery has challenges. One thing that lots of people find in common is the comfort found from connecting with others in similar situations here on the Online Community. The Community is a place to share personal experiences and to help each other through the difficult moments. Hopefully reading the following experience of members finding their own road to recovery will be helpful. “…One day at a time continues to be my mantra and I’ve realised that this stage of recovery is also very hard with glimmers of normality followed by big crashes!! I’ve found this site very comforting.” Community member, Head and neck cancer forum…

Megan- Online Community Team
Secondary cancer support from the Online Community - "I have found this forum so helpful and feel the support out there so thank you all"

Secondary cancer is one way of describing cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. We have lots of members in the Community who have been diagnosed with a secondary cancer or are supporting loved ones with a secondary cancer. Other members might feel concerned about secondary cancers throughout their cancer experience. The Community works as an online cancer support group and provides an opportunity for you to virtually connect with others in similar circumstances. You might like some support from someone who understands what you’re going through, or you might be looking for hints around how to talk to someone who has been recently diagnosed. Some members benefit from shared tips on how to occupy your mind when waiting for results, or how to manage side effects from cancer treatment…

Steph - Online Community Team
Feeling Under Pressure

People affected by cancer have been under pressure, more than ever, in the last few years. As the NHS was stretched in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, treatment delays and necessary changes in the way healthcare works, have left many feeling scared and worried. "It’s a scary thing at the start as it’s the waiting which is one of the hardest to cope with. My treatment was during the covid lifting of restrictions and the impact on the hospitals meant scans were delayed and also results. I think maybe because it takes what feels like so long between each step, it causes my inner negative voice to rise to the surface." - Online Community member, Anal cancer forum. The additional challenges brought by COVID 19 are shared and talked about on our Community. "The reason that I am posting…

Tom C - Online Community team