Community News - Macmillan Online Community

South Asian Heritage Month 2026

Are you from a South Asian background and affected by cancer? Have you ever wished you could talk to someone who understands the cultural, family or faith-related challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis? South Asian Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of South Asian communities in the UK. It is also an opportunity to recognise that people from South Asian communities can experience unique challenges when navigating cancer, and that these challenges can continue long after awareness campaigns and heritage celebrations have ended. A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of life. Alongside treatment, appointments and recovery, many people are also navigating family responsibilities, cultural expectations, faith, language barriers and conversations…

Emma - Online Community Team
Celebrating Eid while living with cancer

Eid is a special time for many people. It can be full of family, good food, prayer, and celebration. But if you are living with cancer, Eid might feel different this year. You may feel more tired. You might not feel well enough to join in as much as you would like. Or you may feel sad that things are not the same. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. The Macmillan Online Community is here to support you. Why Eid can feel different Cancer can change your routine, whether that is due to having treatment, dealing with side effects, feeling low or worried or simply needing more rest. Meanwhile, Eid often brings busy days with visitors, festive mealtimes and long celebrations. This can feel like a lot and you may also feel pressure to join in, even when your body needs something…

Emma - Online Community Team
How to access support this Bank Holiday weekend

This bank holiday weekend, you may be celebrating some of the religious events or just looking forward to the long weekend by spending time with your loved ones. For lots of you who use the Online Community for support, it may not be a weekend filled with joy as you are waiting for test results, coping with treatment side effects, or supporting a loved one. You don’t have to be alone this weekend if you’re struggling and there’s support available. Hopefully, the following information will help you access the support you need this weekend. Use the Online Community 24/7 Connect with others in the Cancer forums to talk about how you are coping, ask questions, and share personal experiences. The Online Community is open 24/7 so you’re really not alone. If you're struggling with anything…

Megan- Online Community Team
Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Living with cancer as a neurodivergent person

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, so we wanted to take a moment to talk about the experience of living with cancer as a neurodivergent person. We've done a bit of research and looked at different experiences people have of living with cancer and being neurodivergent. Below are some of the challenges that can come up, along with a few tips we’ve come across that some people have found helpful. Everyone’s experience will be different, so if you are neurodivergent and living with cancer, we would love to hear from you. Reply to this blog to share your experiences, which may help others who are going through the same challenges. Receiving and processing a diagnosis Being told you have cancer can feel overwhelming for anyone. Neurodivergent people may process this news in different…

Moderator - Macmillan Community
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
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
Helping you rest better

After a few busy festive months, the pressures of New Year's resolutions, and starting the week with Blue Monday, it seems like a good time for some self-care. A big part of self-care can often be making time to rest. Everybody needs some ‘me time’ so why not dedicate some time today to rest, and try one of the suggestions in this blog? What do we mean by resting better and why do we need to do it? Resting and looking after your wellbeing is a skill. It can take time to develop this skill by trying new things and finding what works best for us through trial and error. By doing this, we will become so much better at looking after ourselves as we know what our mind and body need to relax and rest. I'd describe getting better rest as finding and doing something that you enjoy, which will…

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
“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