When you have cancer, you don’t just worry about what will happen to your body, you worry about what will happen to your life. How to talk to those close to you. What to do about work. How you’ll cope with the extra costs.
At Macmillan, we know how a cancer diagnosis can affect everything. So when you need someone to turn to, we’re here, because no one should face cancer alone. We can help you find answers to questions about your treatment and its effects. We can advise on work and benefits, and we’re always here for emotional support when things get tough.
Right from the moment you’re diagnosed, through your treatment and beyond, we’re a constant source of support to help you feel more in control of your life.
We are millions of supporters, professionals, volunteers, campaigners and people affected by cancer. Together we make sure there’s always someone here for you, to give you the support, energy and inspiration you need to help you feel more like you. We are all Macmillan.
For support, information or if you just want to chat, call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk
Thank you
Macmillan relies on voluntary donations for 98% of our income support from SIG has made such a difference to Macmillan and to people affected by cancer.
At Macmillan Cancer Support, we have a huge task on our hands to ensure that we can fulfill our ambition of making sure that no one faces cancer alone.
Thank you for your support, it was really fantastic to see first hand the commitment passion and determination on the day of the triathlon and how everyone was united and focused on enjoying the day, challenging themselves and showing their support. This is also evident in the donations that have been received to date. Over the years that SIG have been supporting Macmillan you have donated £150,000 which is a fantastic achievement. This kind of amount could fund 5555 nursing hours which has made a huge difference and you should all feel very proud of the part that you have played in achieving this.
Day in the life of a nurse
Charmaine is a Macmillan Breast Cancer Nurse Specialist at St George’s Hospital in London. She knows how life changing a cancer diagnosis can be. ‘When someone’s diagnosed, it’s an earth-shattering moment. My main role is to give them information – because information is power, and helps them to make informed choices.’
Charmaine is there for her patients from the moment they’re diagnosed, all the way through the cancer journey. ‘It’s about using my experience and knowledge to help navigate people through the pitfalls of that journey. Some of them look at me like their aunty because of the advice I give them.’
As well as providing information and support, Charmaine is there to listen too. ‘Sometimes it’s just letting them offload their worries. They feel like they can’t talk to partners or family members because they don’t want them to see a chink in their armour. So I tell them they can talk to me about anything they want.’
‘I give them all my contact details and explain that if I’m not there when they phone, they should leave a name and number I’ll call them back as soon as I can.’
Charmaine says it’s also helpful for her patients to talk to others who have finished treatment and come through the other side. ‘Cancer can be all-consuming, but we try to show them there’s light at the end of the tunnel. They just need to get through treatment, and then learn to live with the effects of the cancer – not for it to take over their whole life.’
And Charmaine can see the impact her support has. ‘I love my job because I know I make a difference. I can see a patient collapse at diagnosis or who’s so anxious that she rings me at three o’clock in the morning – and then see her come out the other side, stronger and able to talk about it. Being a Macmillan nurse is like wearing a badge of honour, and I love it.’
