Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Cancer & me 35 years on - Vol 10 'A Chance encounter'

We are back today with a further instalment of Willo's blog series 'Cancer & me 35 years on.' Willo is a member of our Community who was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia and has been sharing her experience of life post diagnosis, as well as her amazing artwork, in her blog series with us. So far Willo has covered her experience of moving back to England for treatment, her Brachytherapy and Abdominoperineal Resection and the amazing friends and family that helped her through. In today’s blog we pick back up with Willo on the day of her interview for a course in Fine art at a university in Liverpool. Throughout her series Willo has written about all aspects of her life after diagnosis, helping us to remember that life after cancer and moving forwards from treatment…

Former Member
Being bodies - Sophie, body confidence and her double mastectomy

Our new series “Being bodies” aims to explore our relationships with our bodies, from head to toe and everything in between. We recently featured Sophi e ’s story, where she talked about her experience being diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene mutation at 24 years old. Today, she’s here to talk about how having a double mastectomy changed how she felt about her body, for the better. A bit about me... I’m Sophie, 28 years old, queer and a BRCA2 gene carrier. Many of my family members have been affected by breast cancer. At 24, I decided to get genetically tested for the gene after my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After that test came back positive for BRCA2, I decided to have a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction. I have always had a positive relationship with my body…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Planned Online Community Maintenance - Thursday 28th of April, 4am onwards

Hi everyone, Due to some planned maintenance, the Online Community will enter a read-only mode for 4-8 hours, beginning this Thursday at 4:00am . It may last until midday but has been planned at this time to provide minimal disruption to our members. This means that you will not be able to log in, post or reply on the Online Community during this time. You will still be able to read posts and blogs on the site. If you feel you need some support while the Online Community is unavailable, please remember our Support Line is here for you. Our teams are available 8am-8pm, 7 days a week by phone on freephone 0808 808 00 00 and also by email or on webchat . Thank you for your patience and support as Macmillan continues to update and improve our online services. If you have any questions,…

Tom C - Online Community team
Cancer & me 35 years on - Vol 11 Good news, bad news

We are back today with the next instalment of Willo’s blog series ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’. Willo is a member of our Community who was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia and has been sharing her experience of life post diagnosis, as well as her amazing artwork, in her blog series with us since last summer. So far Willo has covered her experience of moving back to England for treatment, her Brachytherapy and Abdominoperineal Resection and the amazing friends and family that helped her through. In today’s blog we pick back up with Willo as she prepares to start a university course in Graphic design at Liverpool Poly. Sketch by Willo - Wigan to Euston 'Once more I heard him snort – “see your solicitor – write to your MP – don’t give up!” I did just that and got…

Former Member
March: Brain Tumour Awareness Month

It's Brain Tumour Awareness month in March, so in this Community News Blog, we'll be highlighting related content in the Community and signposting to useful resources. We know it can be hard to know where to turn when you or a loved one has been diagnosed, so we hope you'll find some useful pointers in this blog. According to our information and support pages, there are many different types of brain tumour. They are often named after the cell they develop from or the part of the brain they start in. You can read more about the different kinds of brain tumours on Macmillan's information and support pages here. In the Community, we have several groups where you can find support if you or a loved one are diagnosed with a brain tumour. Our primary brain cancer group is for anyone affected by…

Steph - Online Community Team
Cancer & me 35 years on - International Women's day

Today marks international women’s day, a day where we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is also a day to highlight women’s issues and rally for gender equality. Here at Macmillan we are dedicated to supporting anyone who has been affected by cancer and champion for better cancer support for all. Hearing and listening to the experiences of everyone is vital in doing this. In honour of International Women’s day, we are pleased to bring you a special edition of Willo’s blog series ‘Cancer & me 35 years on’. Willo, an artist who was diagnosed with Anal cancer in 1986 while living in Zambia, has been sharing her experience of life post diagnosis in her blog series with us. After reading today’s blog, in which Willo talks about finding confidence…

Former Member
LGBT+ History Month - How can you get involved?

This LGBT+ History Month, we first want to acknowledge that it’s not enough to have one month to highlight, listen to and learn from LGBT+ people and their experiences. Here on the Online Community, we aim to provide a place to for everyone affected by cancer to find support 365 days a year. We want to do everything we can to ensure the Online Community is as helpful and supportive a place as possible. Macmillan’s “Emerging Picture” report acknowledges how the needs and experiences of LGBT+ people affected by cancer can be very different. It highlights how LGBT+ people who are diagnosed with cancer can have poorer patient experiences. The report also explains how it can be difficult for LGBT+ people to find accurate and tailored information and support. For example, the NHS released information…

Eliza -Online Community Team
A day in the life of an LGBTQ+ Network Lead

Previously in our “A day in the life” series, we’ve featured members of staff you could talk to on Macmillan’s webchat and Support Line. This time, as part of LGBT+ History month, we’re taking you behind the scenes. Anna, alongside her full-time role at Macmillan, volunteers as Network Lead for the LGBTQ+* Network. * LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/trans+, queer/questioning, and other marginalised identities. If you’d like to learn more about what being LGBTQ+ means, please take a look at our previous blog . What is the LGBTQ+ Network at Macmillan, and why is it important? The network is a safe space for LGBTQ+ staff working at Macmillan. It provides collective support and connection, aiming to improve members’ experience of working here. We have vastly ranging backgrounds…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Cancer and shielding

At the start of the pandemic, people with certain medical conditions were asked to shield to reduce the risk of getting coronavirus. Shielding means staying at home at all times and many members of our Community were asked to shield during the height of the pandemic. Since then shielding guidance has changed for some, and with lots of information in the media about shielding, it’s understandable to have questions and concerns. However, it’s important that you are getting answers to your questions from the right sources such as the NHS website or the Government website . Here on the Community team we know that a lot of our members have had questions about shielding, and we wanted to put some information together to help. Do remember you can find up to date information on coronavirus and…

Former Member
Everyone has a Story to Tell

January 30 th to February 6 th is national storytelling week. In today’s Community News Blog we’re talking about the power of healthy distractions. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book or a great film. We widen the conversation here though to talk about anything that can help us feel better, by distracting us for a while. We also take some time to acknowledge more of your stories by highlighting the Macmillan Digital Story Telling Project which is online workshops hosted by Macmillan to help people share their story. In difficult times distraction can be a useful companion. While we often acknowledge the importance of being mindful and living in the present, healthy distractions can help to give us that mental breather we all need from time to time. What’s your favourite…

Tom C - Online Community team
CBD oil - amendment to Macmillan's Online Community Guidelines

Over the past couple of months, CBD (or cannabidiol) oil has risen in popularity with increased availability of the product. As a result, it’s often been a popular discussion topic on the Community. Due to our Community Guidelines though, discussions on cannabis and its derivatives have always been banned. However, with CBD oil becoming readily available on UK high streets earlier this year, coupled with increased research and awareness into the product and its benefits, the Online Community Team has decided to allow these conversations to take place. It should though be noted that if discussions on CBD oil develop into discussions on cannabis itself, we’ll continue to remove this content – this is because cannabis itself is still an illegal product in the UK. Here are the updated guidelines…

Former Member
"How my world changed overnight - thanks to you, Paddy."

S aturday, October 20th marked the start of International Brain Tumour Awareness Week , and to recognise this, Paula, one of our brilliant Online Community users, has agreed to share her story and experience. Well, where to begin ... I’m single, 46 years old, and in February 2018 I saw my GP who thankfully, due to his quick thinking and concern SAVED MY LIFE! He rushed me into hospital where within 4 hours I was told I had a brain tumour, suspected to be malignant. I was immediately referred to Kings Hospital in London and rushed in to meet my surgeon who advised the tumour would be removed March 7 th (I couldn’t be beforehand as there was too much swelling in my brain – they did confirm I have one, so I should be grateful for the small mercies I guess! I remained within Medway Oncology…

Former Member

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