Community News - Macmillan Online Community

A lighthouse in someone’s storm- Being an Online Community Champion

You may remember Jane2511 from her other blogs, ‘ Life one year later ’ and ‘ The importance of our pets during our cancer journey ’ . In today’s blog Jane is talking about her role as an Online Community Champion and why she gives back to the Community that helped her. “I became a Community Champion last year because I felt strongly that I wanted to give back to the community that helped me. ” "During my diagnosis and treatments for endometrial carcinoma sarcoma in 2022 one of the first places I turned to was Macmillan. I discovered the Online Community and never looked back. 24 hours a day I could post for support, share experiences with others and learn about my condition. Even reading other people’s previous posts help reinforce that with Macmillan you are not alone. Cancer is hard…

Megan- Online Community Team
If I could go back to the day of my cancer diagnosis

The moment of a cancer diagnosis can feel like stepping into uncharted territory, bombarded with unfamiliar terms and overwhelming emotions. As we approached the end of 2023, we posed some questions to the Online Community, inviting members to reflect on the day of their diagnosis. “If you could go back and speak to yourself at the time of diagnosis: What words of comfort, advice or encouragement would you offer? What lessons have you learnt that you wish you knew from the start? What wisdom or guidance would have made a difference?” Community members replied with some profound insights and reflections. Here are snippets from some of the members’ responses. Reflections from the Online Community “When you are first diagnosed with cancer you are plunged into a whole…

Dylan - Online Community Team
How can Macmillan help me? A guide to getting support for World Cancer Day 2024

World Cancer Day – knowledge is power Sunday 4 February is World Cancer Day , an annual event designed to raise awareness of cancer-related issues across the globe. By highlighting the challenges that people with a cancer diagnosis face, and by advocating for continual improvement in cancer information, treatment, and care, World Cancer Day aims to help get cancer issues prioritised by governments and healthcare bodies alike. The 2024 World Cancer Day theme is 'Close the care gap'. There are many complex factors that contribute to unequal outcomes for people with cancer across the globe. Perhaps the most fundamental barrier to getting support is also the most obvious – if you don’t know what support is available, you aren’t going to be able to take advantage of it! Spreading knowledge…

Matthew - Online Community Team
Finding reliable cancer information and trusted support online

There are lots of websites where you can find reliable health information and trusted support for yourself and your loved ones. You might also come across information online that is out of date, misleading or unproven. In this blog we will be sharing members experiences with the aim of helping you all find trusted information on the internet and keep safe online. Newly diagnosed or waiting for results? “I know I shouldn't google but I have done and now I'm really scared. “ Community member, Bladder cancer forum When you are waiting to speak to healthcare professionals about a cancer diagnosis it is often a very worrying time. Some people look for more information online, but don’t always find it helpful. You might initially feel like you will be more in control…

Steph - 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
Wellbeing 'This or That' quiz

Which do you prefer? This or that? Below are some 'this or that' questions to help you understand what your preferred resting type may be, so you can try some of the suggestions in our Helping You Rest Better blog . To join in, select your preference out of the 2 options in each question by clicking the 'vote' button. The links at the bottom of the page will take you to the relevant information for your preferred rest type. This is not in any way medical advice for your physical or mental wellbeing, but a fun way to help you find ways to get better rest and maybe try something new. If you answered: Hot bath - you may find sensory rest to be helpful. Hot yoga - physical rest may be helpful. Meditation - s piritual rest and mental rest may be helpful. Journalling…

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
Being kind to yourself on Blue Monday

The third Monday of January is sometimes referred to as ‘Blue Monday’. It is known to be a day when people feel at their lowest. With the recent festivities coming to an end and the cold dark days lingering, the annual ‘winter blues’ can creep up on us. Today we thought we would try and bring some positivity into this ‘blue’ day by asking you all to share any of the following in the comment box below. Something kind you have done for yourself. A positive story An inspirational quote or positive affirmation Anything that has made you smile today. All the tips shared may help someone be a little kinder to themselves today or improve their day. Don’t forget if you are feeling blue and need some support, the Macmillan Support Line is open every day from 8am to 8pm. The teams are…

Megan- Online Community Team
“Am I the only one awake?” Cancer and sleeplessness

Have you been up in the early hours of the morning because of your cancer diagnosis? If so, you are not alone. Our Community is available 24 hours a day, making it possible to post or reply in the forums no matter what time you are awake. We often have members writing about their struggles with sleep. In this blog, we want to feature some of those discussions and highlight insightful experiences and wisdom shared. “At times sleep is a mystery on the cancer journey” Community member, Breast cancer forum “Hi folks, this is my first post and it’s the middle of the night because I can't sleep.” Community member, New to the community forum Timeless support: A 7-year conversation Seven years ago, a member of the breast cancer forum found herself…

Dylan - Online Community Team
Cybersecurity: Staying safe on the Community and beyond

Ever since the pandemic, the average number of people using the internet and being present online has increased significantly. Ofcom reported that on average, a person was online for more than 4 hours every day. Naturally, the number of cyberattacks have also increased. The BBC reported that there were around 6,000 fraud and scam cases related to the pandemic in general. It meant that there were more numbers online than before. As we’re trying to come back into some form of a normal routine, it’s important to make sure you’re aware of the risks that being online may entail and what you can do to protect yourself online. As the new year dawns on us in January, in this blog, we take a dive to see how you can help to protect yourself online on the Community and beyond to try and ensure you…

Syed - Macmillan
Reflection: Looking back

As we bid farewell to the past year and welcome the dawn of a new one, it may often mark the time for reflection and gratitude for approaching a New Year. For many of us on the Community, this transition may hold profound significance as we reflect on our individual journeys affected by cancer and may try to look ahead with hope, resilience, and newfound determination as a new year, looms in the horizon. For some, the past year might have been marked by the whirlwind of treatments, doctor’s appointments, and moments of uncertainty. The difficulties you may have faced, the triumphs you may have celebrated – each step that may leave an enduring imprint on our lives. Let’s see how the members of the Community reflect on their journeys so far. This Community member reflects on the difficult…

Syed - Macmillan
Accessing the Online Community – Help with account creation and log-in problems

Creating an account Signing up for an Online Community account is usually very easy. You choose whether you want to sign in using an email address or a social media account, you provide a few security details, then you pick a public username. That’s it – you’re all set! Unfortunately, this being the internet, sometimes things go wrong. To save any confusion, it’s a good idea to see what the process looks like when things work as expected. You can either view the handy video below or read the illustrated instructions to learn more about the process. vimeo.com/.../885595769 NOTE: The descriptions and images featured in this guide refer to the Online Community website when using a computer or large screen device. We recommend accessing the website using a full computer or laptop when attempting…

Matthew - Online Community Team