Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Catching up with the Soft Tissues Sarcoma Forum

A cancer diagnosis can have a huge impact on you and your life, whether it’s your diagnosis or a loved one’s diagnosis. When you are diagnosed with a rare cancer, you may feel even more isolated. It can really help to find other people who understand how you feel and may have been through a similar experience. As part of Sarcoma Awareness Month this July, we want to highlight the Soft tissues sarcomas forum . This is a safe place to talk to other people, share experiences and find support. We want to help you find support if you or a loved one are impacted by soft tissue sarcoma. In this Community News blog, we’re going to feature some recent discussions from the forum and show you the topics that members talk about. Remember you can click the links underneath each post to go to the discussion…

Eliza -Online Community Team
Winter Picture Festival 2023 - Highlights

With just over 50 days left until the official start of spring, it might be a bit of a stretch to say that we're properly through the winter period just yet. Even so, with the shortest day now well behind us, it feels like a good time to look back at the winter like we're moving out of it. Perhaps that's wishful thinking, but I'm ever the optimist! What better way is there to review a season passed than with a selection of lovely photographs? Well, it just so happens that we have a wonderfully talented bunch of Community members in the Express yourself forum who submitted some cracking winter scenes to our Winter Picture Festival 2023 thread. For your viewing pleasure, I present you with some of our favourites! Above: Two beautiful shots from jane2511 capturing a frozen spider's web,…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Dating and cancer- Mason's story

Valentines’ day was last week, and we started a discussion around dating and cancer here on the Online Community. 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 cancer discussion thread. It’s a dedicated space for Community members to support each other and share personal experiences with dating. In the Lived experiences with cancer and dating blog posted last week, Lauren shares her story. At the age of 25, Lauren was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. As she navigated a cancer diagnosis and treatment, Lauren was also starting a new relationship with Danny. The couple have now been together for six years and recently got engaged. Click here to hear Lauren…

Megan- Online Community Team
Mother's Day - "The thought of them got me off the floor...talking, smiling and laughing again."

This Sunday’s Mother’s Day , a day to celebrate mothers mean to us; all they do for us, and all they mean to us. To recognise this year’s Mother’s Day , I’ve been talking to several mothers on the Community about how having cancer has affected them as a mother. I’m not going to take any further time introducing or the piece – so without further ado, here are our mothers of the Community… 'The thought of them got me off the floor, got me talking, smiling and laughing again.' Cara19 My first thoughts being diagnosed with bowel cancer were of my babies. I just couldn’t bear the thought that I might not be there for them. But after the inevitable tears, the thought of them got me off the floor, got me talking, smiling and laughing again. I’m one of the lucky ones and so blessed to have…

Former Member
Our Growing Community

There are many different reasons for joining the Online Community as it provides safe spaces for patients and loved ones to get support from real people. Real people who can truly understand what it’s like being affected by cancer. Today’s blog looks at some of the conversations that you’re getting involved with in our Community groups this month. If you want read last month’s round up blog ‘ What does the Community mean to you? ’ you can do so by clicking here . We usually see lots new members joining the Online Community for support each week. Whether you've been with us for a while, or you've only just joined, it's important to know there's lots of support available for you. Our Community is a place for patients, family members, carers and loved ones to access emotional support and practical…

Megan- Online Community Team
"...try not to let it take over so much that it stops you enjoying the things you usually find pleasurable in your day.” - Wellbeing Wednesdays: April

May’s here, so without further ado, here’s a summary of April’s Wellbeing tips. We’ve revamped our ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ tips since last month – going forwards we’ll be choosing tips shared with the Community by our members. Here are a few highlights for April… 'Keep doing what you’re doing, or even start doing something else' Tim90 – “Keep doing what you’re doing, or even start doing something else. Don’t put a block in the way. Be careful of course, don’t take unnecessary risks, but maybe you don’t have to put your life on hold.” Pollydog – “But what might help too is to say; be really kind to yourself. Let people you know, and love know how you are feeling – and if you can, let them listen and support you.” 'Plan yourself some treats to look forward to.' Fairycake – “Plan yourself…

Former Member
Lung Cancer Awareness Month - Cheryl's story

"Shine on, you crazy diamond!" November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and to recognise this Cheryl, one of our Online Community members, is sharing her experience with the cancer, which her dad, Derek, sadly passed away with earlier this year. On February 26 th , 2018 my lovely dad, Derek, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer with metastasis to his ribs, lungs, lymph nodes, spine, pelvis and hip … it had completely taken hold of him. My dad’s battle didn’t last long, he passed away in the local hospice on June 17 th – Father’s Day of all days, just three and a half months from his diagnosis to him losing his fight. His diagnosis came as a massive shock. I knew my dad wasn’t a well man as he had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and had smoked…

Former Member
The power of peer support- the Online Community in 2024

Each year we are humbled by the kindness and compassion our members show each other every day on the Community. W e would like to take a moment to celebrate the power of peer support in 2024. Over 21,900 new members joined us this year looking for company and connection. Around 179,000 posts, blogs, and replies were made , alongside 125,739 virtual hugs and hearts were sent. It is amazing to see so many of you supporting each other through a cancer diagnosis, treatment, and side effects alongside the emotional effects of cancer. The power of peer support Connecting with people who are in the same situation as you can be a vital part of your support system when living with cancer or supporting someone who is. It can help you feel less alone when talking to someone who knows how you are…

Megan- Online Community Team
The Online Community can be a part of your social prescription

The Online Community can be a part of your social prescription. Read this blog to help build your own social support plan. Did you know that some medical professionals will prescribe social interaction to support your mental health and overall wellbeing? NHS England says that: “Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social, and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.” Read more on the NHS information pages about how social prescribing schemes work. The Online Community can help meet your practical, social, and emotional needs and this blog will share details of how we can help. We can connect you with others who share similar…

Megan- Online Community Team
Wellbeing Wednesday - Men's Health Week 2026 and opening up conversations about cancer

This Wellbeing Wednesday blog focuses on Men’s Health Week in 2026 which runs from 15-21 June. At Macmillan, we’re using the opportunity to help raise awareness of the importance of men talking about their health and finding the right cancer support. We know that men are less likely than women to seek support for their cancer experience. We also know how isolating cancer can be. And that whoever you are, there are benefits of talking to someone who understands what you are going through. We want to make cancer support better for everyone. Whether you are a man with a cancer diagnosis, or a man supporting a loved one with cancer, the Community is here for you. Men living with cancer and sharing support on Macmillan's Online Community "I’ve spent the last 5 days a nervous wreck convincing…

Steph - Online Community Team
Planned Online Community Maintenance - Tuesday 10th August, 6AM - 10AM

Hi everyone, Due to some planned maintenance, the Online Community will enter a read-only mode tomorrow morning, Tuesday 10th August from 6:00am to 10:00am. 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, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at community@macmillan.org.uk . Kindest Regards…

Moderator - Macmillan Community
New Autumn/Winter 2026 Dates - Local Cancer Community Meet-ups

As early autumn and winter approach, we're delighted to announce a fresh round of face-to-face meet-ups in more cities than ever. If you're near any of the following locations, read on: Birmingham Bristol Colchester Dagenham Glasgow Lincoln Manchester Preston Rochester Sheffield Swindon Watford Westwood Cross (near Margate) Wolverhampton As always, 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…

Matthew - Online Community Team