Community News - Macmillan Online Community

Staying in the present at Christmas: how I coped with each 'last time'

This blog was originally published in December 2022. It has been updated by the original author to include their most recent experiences. When a loved one has an incurable cancer diagnosis, it can be hard to avoid thinking about what events might be 'the last time'. The last holiday season. The last birthday. The last anniversary. Macmillan and the Online Community are both here to help you through what may be the hardest days and weeks of the year. Wee Me’s husband was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumour in September 2020. She has previously shared her experience as a carer and family member on Community News. In today’s blog, Wee Me is talking about how she’s learned to navigate and cope with those potential 'last times'. “My husband’s initial prognosis in September 2020 was…

Matthew - Macmillan
What do you wish you had known before living with a stoma?

Our new mini blog series asks the question, ‘What do you wish you had known?’ In this latest blog, the Online Community team ask community members with different lived experiences what they wish they had known about Ileostomy, colostomy and stomas. The blog includes questions you might want to ask, practical tips, and help with managing anxiety before appointments. It also includes reassuring messages about living with a stoma. Visit the ‘What do you wish you had known before living with a stoma?’ forum to join the discussion. Emotional support when living with a stoma For some people, there can be a mixture of emotions when they are told they will be given a stoma as part of their treatment. You will find lots of friendly peer support in our Online Community. It can be comforting…

Megan- Macmillan
Online Community downtime: Monday 1st Dec 10:30 pm -Tues 2nd Dec at 9am.

There is some planned maintenance taking place on Macmillan’s website overnight on Monday 1st Dec from 10:30pm. During this time the Community will experience some downtime. This means that members will not be able to log in, or join the Online Community, between Monday 1st Dec at 10:30 pm-Tues 2nd Dec at 9am. We know how important the Community is as a source of support for our members, so we will do our best to ensure the site is not unavailable for any longer than necessary. Please know that while the site is down you will not be able to create an account, log into the site or post, however you will still be able to view the Community and read posts and discussions for support. We understand that this may impact members who rely on the Online Community for peer support. If you need…

Moderator - Macmillan Community
Macmillan Community Breakfast with Chef & Brewer

We are delighted to share with you all a lovely offer from Chef & Brewer pubs this December. They are offering a free breakfast for you and a plus one – as we know turning up to things on your own can be daunting. There are 10 places per every Chef & Brewer site. This is a wonderful chance to connect with others, share stories, and enjoy a relaxed festive morning together. Chef & Brewer are part of the Greene King group, you can read more about the partnership with Macmillan here. The sign up is really simple: Visit the Chef and Brewer website and enter your postcode to find your local pub and select ‘Book a Table’ Choose Friday 5 December at 10:30am for your reservation (this is the only day and time the offer is available) Set the number of Adults to ‘1’ or ‘2’ (if bringing…

Megan- Macmillan
What I wish I had known about chemotherapy: stories from Macmillan’s forums

Our new blog mini-series asks 'What do you wish you had known? ’ about cancer treatment before you had started it. People in the Macmillan Online Community are sharing experiences and tips about their cancer treatment and situations. This blog focuses on chemotherapy. Online Community members tell us that hearing about other people’s experiences of treatment can make a big difference to them. Especially when they’re feeling unsure about what to expect. Visit the chemotherapy forum , where members talk about what they wish they’d known before starting treatment. Everyone’s experience of chemotherapy is different “Some great advice here, I think that the key thing is that our experience of cancer is going to be different, and therefore our experience of chemo will also be. There are some…

Dylan - Macmillan
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 - Macmillan
“It is a juggling act being a cancer patient and a parent.” – Priyanka’s story

Priyanka was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the age of 36 in 2022. Priyanka lives in Aylesbury, with her husband, Manoj and two daughters, Keya and Shriyana who were 4 years old and 2 years old at the time of the diagnosis. Priyanka is a qualified teacher. Since, being diagnosed with cancer, she has gone on to become a life coach for children, supporting them through life’s challenges. Also, a published author, Priyanka has penned a heartfelt children’s book, When Mummy Had Cancer. Priyanka’s story Your world falls apart when you hear the words, you have cancer. Mine did too! You automatically think it’s a death sentence. When you have two young children, it’s terrifying. My first reaction was, what will happen to my girls? I want to be there to see them grow up. Experience…

Megan- Macmillan
Local Cancer Community Meet-ups - New Dates, More Locations!

Macmillan's 'Cancer Community Meet-ups' program has been extended. This time, we don't just have new dates... we also have more locations! Are you in Birmingham, Bradford , Preston, Rochester, Washington, or Watford ? Do you fancy chatting face-to-face with other people affected by cancer? If so, 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…

Dylan - Macmillan
What do you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy? The Online Community helps.

Our new blog mini-series is based on a question ‘what you wish you had known’. We’re bringing the Community together to share hints and tips around different cancer treatments or situations you might be facing. Today we’re encouraging the sharing of your experiences of radiotherapy. We know how helpful it can be to hear from someone who has been through it themselves. Whether you are starting radiotherapy treatment yourself, or supporting someone having radiotherapy, we hope this blog will help you find the suggestions you need . Radiotherapy hints and tips for all In the Radiotherapy forum , we asked the Community for their guidance in a recent thread ' What you wish you had known before starting radiotherapy ? ' Some of the advice provided could be relevant to anyone facing any type…

Steph - Macmillan
Community this or that quiz- Coffee morning

We want to bring our Online Community together to connect and have some light hearted fun during September, as it is the hallmark month for Macmillan’s World’s biggest coffee morning. Find the coffee morning this or that quiz in this blog. Last week, we posted the Bringing the Community Together blog, where details of why Macmillan's world's biggest coffee morning is important and how the Community has supported people affected by cancer over the years. Read the ‘ Bringing the Community together- Virtual coffee morning ’ blog here. Virtual coffee morning This year is the 35th year anniversary of the World’s biggest coffee morning, which continues to make a difference to support everyone affected by cancer. The Online Community’s virtual Coffee morning brings our members together to…

Megan- Macmillan
Bringing the Community together - virtual coffee morning

September is the hallmark month for Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. This year is the 35th year anniversary of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning which continues to make a difference to support everyone affected by cancer. 35 years of coming together to raise vital funds so Macmillan can be there to support people when they need us the most. It’s also 35 years of bringing people together to talk about cancer. Whilst coffee mornings are a great way to fundraise, it’s also a good opportunity to raise awareness and share personal cancer experiences. The Online Community brings the cancer community together every day. Our forums provide peer to peer support all day and all night helping you navigate the emotional and practical challenges cancer can bring. "Thank you to everyone…

Megan- Macmillan
Approaching Autumn - Celebrating the Online Community Seasonal Picture Festivals

Image: a collage of photos from Community Members - 'W ith a peaceful theme' As we approach Autumn, we are launching a new Picture Festival thread whilst taking some time to look back on the Spring and Summer pictures members have contributed in 2025. We asked members of our Express Yourself forum to share pictures of their Spring and Summer. This could include pictures of nature, art and crafts, pets or more. A big thank you to everyone who shared their images this year. We know that it can bring many of you joy to share and see pictures of nature here on the Community. Can you see your image shared in the blog? As the nights draw in and the weather is changing, images from Spring and Summer might help us all feel a little brighter. We are also looking forward to the changing colours…

Steph - Macmillan