Community News - Macmillan Online Community

"It's heartwarming for me when I see in print that someone has wished me well...it's better than any pill I could take." - 'What the Community means to me...' Vol 1: tvman

Here on the Community News Blog we want to showcase just how much support, friendship and kindness is shared on this site every single day. To try and shine a light on this we are starting a new series called ‘ what the Community means to me…’ which looks at some of our member’s stories, how they came to find the Community and what it means to them to be on the site. In our first volume today tvman shares his story, why not take a moment to read through? Tvman about to plant bulbs with his grandson and wife watching. Tvman’s story I was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia (MDS) in March 2015. This diagnosis followed a period of time that my haemaglobin level was up, it was down but the general trend was downward. So in February 2015 I underwent a bone marrow examination. Getting the sample taken…

Former Member
'I am struck not only by the quality of the information but by the depth of care that people who post show. It’s humanity at its best.' – A word from our CEO Lynda

We are thrilled to announce that kicking off 2020’s guest blogs, we have our very own Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Lynda. Lynda is a huge advocate of the Community and the amazing support you all provide every day. The beginning of a New Year can bring many thoughts and feelings, some very difficult and some more hopeful but it can be a really good time to look forward over the coming days, weeks or even months and really take time to focus on what is most important to you. Whether that is spending more time with friends and family, taking time out to make sure you are giving yourself a proper rest, or maybe booking that appointment you have been putting off. Lynda’s piece today focuses on the importance of seeking medical guidance even when it can feel extremely daunting. Sometimes…

Former Member
Avoiding cancer misinformation and finding trusted support online

There are lots of websites where you can find reliable health information and trusted support. You might also come across information online that is misleading or incorrect. Every day, thousands of people can find out-of-date, misleading and unproven information about cancer online, often without realising. This can happen on search engines like 'Dr Google', social media and AI chat tools. Sometimes people share information because they are trying to help, but it may not be accurate or based on evidence. In this blog we will be sharing members experiences with the aim of helping you find trusted information online. Searching online for cancer information “I know I shouldn't google but I have done and now I'm really scared.“ - Community member When you are waiting to speak to healthcare…

Steph - Online Community Team
What do you wish you had known before diagnosis? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. The blogs feature different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of diagnosis. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. If you are facing a cancer diagnosis we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need. Everyone’s diagnosis journey is different – but some advice helps us all "I'm glad I got advice here about making lots of notes and asking lots of questions. It's helped me feel in control." - Community member, Prostate cancer forum “Things will get easier when you know what you’re dealing with and what your treatment…

Steph - Online Community Team
“So grateful to the champions on this forum”

It’s Volunteer's Week from June 2nd to 8th, 2025. This blog celebrates the dedication and commitment our fabulous Online Community Champions give to the Community every day. Who are our Online Community Champions? The Community Champions are a dedicated team of volunteers here on the Online Community. Our Champions are a friendly listening ear for those who need it most, helping people affected by cancer feel supported and less alone. The role is flexible and there's no expectation for Community Champions to log in every single day, although many of them do. So far this year, our Community champions have posted over 14,498 times, which helps show the amount of kindness and support they provide every day. A huge thank you to: Beesuit, chellesimo, chris2012, Daisy53, DaveyBo, GBear…

Megan- Online Community Team
"Finding my new normal"- Jane's story

Cancer is a journey that none of us would choose and that many people will experience either directly themselves or through family, friends or colleagues. My endometrial carcinoma sarcoma journey began in 2022. I had major surgery, and this was followed by chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy. For me there was life before cancer, life with cancer, and now there is life after cancer. This blog looks at my wellbeing, physical changes, emotional moments, social challenges and my journey to find my new normal. “ After cancer, I think it’s not so much about getting back to normal, it’s about finding out what is the new normal for you now.” Read Jane’s previous blogs: Diagnostic testing for endometrial cancer Check up appointments after endometrial cancer treatment- Jane’s story…

Megan- Online Community Team
Fall into the Online Community Autumn Quiz

We're starting to hear lots of mentions of autumn on the Community, with members talking about the nights drawing in, the colours of the trees and the leaves crunching under your feet. As many of you told us that you enjoyed the chance to relax and engage with light-hearted content, w e've created an autumn themed quiz for the Community today. Even if you're not feeling particularly positive about Autumn this year, you might find light-hearted distractions to be helpful. Have a go at 'conker'ing the quiz today and see how you get on! How to play the interactive quiz Use the voting buttons to choose your answer from the multiple choices shown. You are welcome to try all eight questions, or just a few. Once you have voted for your answer, you will be able to see how many others chose…

Steph - Online Community Team
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Meet Laurel, writing for release and renewal.

It's Bowel Cancer Awareness month in April and we are sharing Laurel's story. Laurel, known as 'Writing Lola' on the Online Community has been using writing to help cope with and navigate a bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment. We really appreciate you sharing your words, Laurel, so we will hand over now to your voice. In the city where I live, the marking of the Chinese Lunar New Year came with a riot of colours and costumes, lanterns and illuminations, dances of lions and dragons. I looked longingly through the exciting programme of festivities, knowing that this was yet another thing I couldn’t contemplate attending. My body, coping with another harrowing round of chemotherapy, could barely manage making dinner that night, let alone face the effort of getting dressed and leaving the…

Steph - Online Community Team
Dating with a stoma- Sarah's story

As part of the Dating and cancer series, Sarah shares her journey of navigating the dating world since her bowel cancer diagnosis in 2018 and why being open and honest about her stoma bag is important for her. “I've really welcomed having a stoma bag because my bag saved my life. I was always going to embrace it, but it is something that factors into my dating life. If you're going to be intimate with someone or if you're going to live with someone, you have to have a conversation at some point about the bag.” Watch the video below to hear Sarah talking about her dating experiences living with a stoma. If you have a dating with cancer experience you want to share, or have been thinking about starting a new relationship but are feeling worried, join the Let’s talk about dating and…

Megan- Online Community Team
Super Surgeons- A Chance at Life

Did you watch series one of Super Surgeons on Channel 4? If so, you may be interested to hear that series two, Super Surgeons - 'A Chance at Life' , airs tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm. Macmillan is partnering again with Channel 4 for series 2 of the docuseries "Super Surgeons – A Chance At Life". The series follows patients having ground-breaking surgery at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London. Each of the hour-long episodes highlights the impact their cancer diagnosis has on all areas of their lives. The series features audio clips of calls to our colleagues on the Macmillan Support Line . You can watch the episodes on Channel 4 at 9pm on Tuesdays, from 18 June to 9 July. Or you can catch up anytime on Channel 4's on demand service All 4 . Also featured in the series are short…

Megan- Online Community Team
Are you worried about hair loss? Hair loss support from Macmillan’s Community forums

We recently shared Ellie's story as part of the digital storytelling project. Ellie shares her concerns about her kidney diagnosis and hair loss. Today's blog is sharing support information if you are also worried about losing your hair. Hair loss can be a side effect of your cancer treatment and often causes a range of emotions. Your hair can often form part of your identity so it's natural that losing your hair is causing some concern. Our Community members regularly share experiences and tips for coping with hair loss. In this blog, we are highlighting conversations about hair loss from different Community forums and sharing support information. Hair loss support from our forums You’re not alone if you’re worried about losing your hair. It's also natural to have questions and concerns…

Megan- Online Community Team
Coping with hair loss after a kidney cancer diagnosis: Ellie’s story

For lots of people, worrying about side effects can have a big impact when you’ve had a cancer diagnosis. Ellie was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015. As part of the Digital Storytelling Project, Ellie has shared her experiences as a poem. Ellie talks about her experience getting diagnosed, and her worry around hair loss. Like Ellie, lots of members here on the Community share how they’re feeling about diagnosis, side effects and hair loss. If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer, you might find support and comfort in our “Kidney cancer” forum . This is a safe place to find support and talk to other people affected by cancer. Ellie has shared her story as a video. Ellie describes her video below: “My kidney cancer journey – about trusting my instincts; the good times, bad times…

Eliza -Online Community Team