Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Coffee Morning with Macmillan's Online Community

September marks Coffee Morning month! While Macmillan’s official Coffee Morning date is 25 of September, you can take part anytime. It’s a chance to come together, share a cuppa and start talking. Here at the O nline C ommunity, we know how important those conversations can be. By sharing experience s, advice and support, members help one another feel listened to and less alone. In this blog, we’ll hear from members about the connections they’ve made and support they’ve received. We’ll show you how you can join conversation s in our forums and find your nearest Coffee Morning. Grab a cuppa and let’s celebrate coming together. Feeling less alone Many members of our community have found comfort and support through our forums. For some it may be the first time they’ve felt able to open up…

Lizzie - Online Community Team
Celebrating National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist Day: Here for You When It Matters Most

National Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Day is on the 16 th March. The occasion shines a spotlight on the dedication, expertise and care that cancer nurses bring to supporting patients across the UK each and every day. From the moment of diagnosis and throughout treatment and recovery, Clinical Nurse Specialists are there to provide information, support and a familiar, trusted point of contact. Their knowledge, compassion and dedication help people feel less alone as they navigate life with cancer. They provide expert care, help coordinate personalised treatment and support, while also recognising the challenges that can come with a cancer diagnosis. “My nurse was amazing with rearranging appointments and keeping me up to date. I never got lost in the system. Having one point of…

Wayne - Online Community Team
World Mental Health Day 2018

Today's World Mental Health Day (10/10/2018), so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with the Online Community some tips on dealing with difficult emotions, and generally improving your mental wellbeing. Whether you have cancer, care for someone with cancer or someone close to you has cancer, a diagnosis can bring with it a myriad of emotions: Anger Shock Disbelief Anxiety Guilt and blame Sadness Fear and uncertainty Loss of control, independence and confidence … and many more. There’s no right or wrong way to feel; everyone’s different and may feel differently at different stages of a diagnosis. You might often feel confused about what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling this way - you might have frequent mood swings too. Many people go through varying emotions…

Former Member
"...reading the message has lifted mine and my grandad's hopes." - Bladder Cancer Awareness Month

Off the back of rily’s Bladder Cancer Awareness Month piece last Monday, I thought I’d also throw a spotlight recognising the cancer by highlighting a few positive, helpful and interesting bits and pieces from our Bladder cancer group, as well as a little feedback received for the group. If you’re affected by bladder cancer, go ahead and share your tips of thoughts with us using the comments section below. Discussions: An Introduction – nickfreckle was diagnosed at the start of this year and posted in the group looking for support and guidance. Our members responded with a flood of guidance, sharing their experiences and offering support and comfort as best they could. "Huge thanks and much love to everyone on the site, it's been a lifeline in the dark days, and an inspiration on the…

Former Member
National pet month

April is National Pet month and we want to take a moment to talk about the support given . F or those who have furry, smooth, big or small animals in y our lives , you know how much they can affect your we l lbeing. In our Animals are family too forum , we see how much a nimals mean to you and how they have provided support in different ways. “While I was having my radiotherapy and chemotherapy in March/April 2019, Chynna would always come on my knee every day while I was waiting for the hospital transport to collect me. It was almost as if she knew what I was going through.” - blackstuff “About 6 weeks before I was diagnosed with cervical cancer my dog would not leave my side, he's normally quite clingy but I noticed he was exceptionally clingy just would not leave me, I am about to…

Former Member
Womb Awareness Day 2018: "You're too young to have cancer."

September is Womb Cancer Awareness month and Womb Cancer Awareness Day is the 20 th September. To mark it, Sarah has written about womb cancer and what to be aware of. Sarah was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2017. She loves jigsaw puzzles, scuba diving and enjoys visiting Egypt where she has lots of friends who live there. Sarah also runs her own blogs, Fatigue vs frustration , Concentrate on the what is and not the what ifs , It’s the season! and How life changes after cancer . It still surprises me today whenever I tell people about my cancer diagnosis. It’s: “oh you’re too young to have cancer”. I was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2017 and, to my surprise, only 1% diagnosed are in my age group. I was 37 at the time of my diagnosis and what surprised me the most is I hadn’t…

Former Member
"Nowhere to turn? How I discovered the Online Community..."

Last month Gina, one of our Online Community Champions, shared with the Community part of her cancer journey, specifically interactions with family, friends and colleagues. The blog was called “Most of us just want normality!”, and if you haven’t already read it, it makes for a really thought provoking read. Gina’s back this week to tell us how she discovered the Online Community when she most needed it, and how it’s helped her to date. Enjoy! I got my diagnosis on the last appointment of Maundy Thursday. I left the consultants office in a daze trying to make an understanding of what had just been said and what it would all mean. Initially, when I got the appointment at that time, I felt relief, it meant I would have 4 days off to digest and process what I had been told. To compose myself…

Former Member
Spirituality, faith and cancer in the Online Community

A cancer experience can lead to many changes. Some are physical, while others may affect how you see life, yourself, or the world around you. In times of uncertainty, many people turn to faith or spirituality for comfort, strength, and a sense of peace. Spirituality can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s about following a religion or being part of a faith community. For others, it might be a personal sense of meaning, connection to nature, or time for quiet reflection. In this blog, we are shining a light on our Religion, spirituality and prayer forum . This is a space in the Online Community where you can share prayers, reflections, or explore spiritual thoughts and questions with others who understand. A faith community can play a vital role in your support. It…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Silver Linings - Nicky's story

A couple of weeks ago I received a lovely letter from a lady called Nicky, who'd included in this letter a short story called 'Silver Linings'. I found the story such a positive and optimistic read that I had to share it with the Online Community. Nicky shares with us her story from an initial diagnosis, to present day where she's 3 years on from surgery. What struck me was how Nicky was able stay so positive both during and after treatment, and keep living and enjoying life. I hope you all like the story as much as I did. "It may be rubbish or it might help one other lady see beyond her treatment. To see the 'Silver Linings' during and afterwards. To keep her going." (Nicky) "No" she shouted in her head, as Chris, the Macmillan nurse went through everything the surgeon had told her. Like…

Former Member
"...your reply filled me with strength and a feeling of support. I'll be back!"

In today’s Community News piece, I thought I’d share with you all just a handful of the feedback recently received for our Community cancer forum – feedback myself, Ellen and Jess see day in, day out on the site. The Community’s such an invaluable source of support for people affected by cancer, and the below speaks volumes for you, our Community members, who are the ones sharing your experiences; talking to those who need a listening ear; and offering support and comfort to those who need it most. Enjoy the read, and if you’ve a positive story from the Community you’d like to share, go ahead and do so using the comments section below. “…I'm always so heartened to see the amazing support this little community gives.” “There's lots of support on this group. It is amazing. Sending love…

Former Member
New Year, New Dates - Local Cancer Community Meet-ups 2025

Welcome to 2025! If you're in Birmingham, Bradford, Cardiff, Dundee, Glasgow Coatbridge, or Rochester, and you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer... we're delighted to announce even more opportunities to make new friends. These in-person events intend to build supportive communities of people local to the areas they're hosted in. To avoid confusing them with our Online Community, we refer to these events as 'Local Cancer Community Meet-ups' in this blog. If you would like to discuss attending this event with other members of the Online Community, please don't forget that our Community Guidelines still apply. The Private Messaging system is a safer way to discuss specific meet-up plans with friends on the forum. Please see our guide to Private Messages and Friends…

Matthew - 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