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Whoever you are, whatever it takes

Whoever you are, we do whatever it takes. Because cancer can affect your life in so many ways, we do whatever it takes to give people the support they need.
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The truth about cancer

A cancer diagnosis is enough to deal with. Misconceptions and misinformation about cancer shouldn’t make your life even harder. Yet we know they can negatively shape people’s thoughts or understanding about cancer and lead to those in need missing out on vital support.

That's why our new campaign – Whoever You Are, Whatever It Takes – is shining a light on what it really means to be living with a cancer diagnosis in the UK today, and encouraging more people to access trusted, reliable cancer information and support that's right for them, no matter who they are or where they live.

Hear how singer and performer Marc, who stars in the campaign, got the support he needed to learn to sing again after having his voice box removed – and how he is now supporting others.

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Cancer can disrupt your whole life. We're doing whatever it takes to help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.
A man is sitting on a park bench. He has a walking stick next to him and a book in his hand.A man is sitting on a park bench. He has a walking stick next to him and a book in his hand.
Macmillan Support Line
The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, we’ll listen.
Victor (on the left) and Marc (on the right) are sitting down at the Horizon Macmillan Centre. Both are wearing green tops. Victor (on the left) and Marc (on the right) are sitting down at the Horizon Macmillan Centre. Both are wearing green tops.
Local support in your area
Find cancer support near you. Search for local groups, emotional support, practical help, health services, and social activities in your area.
A woman is sitting on her sofa at home looking at the camera.A woman is sitting on her sofa at home looking at the camera.
Online Community
Macmillan Online Community is a free online place available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Join today and chat to people living with or who are affected by cancer.
More cancer information and support

Meet the people who shared their stories

Cancer can disrupt your whole life and it affects everyone differently. Meet the people who shared their stories and read about their realities of living with cancer. 
A man is standing outside his home looking to camera. He has a small round valve on his throat.

Meet Marc

Marc was diagnosed with a rare form of incurable thyroid cancer in March 2020. After 35 rounds of radiotherapy, he now speaks through a special valve in his throat. Living in Brighton with his husband, Marc has been supported by his local centre, the Macmillan Horizon Centre.

Read Marc's story

A close-up of a young black woman looking into camera. She has a long hair and is wearing a green top.

Meet Nellie

Nellie was diagnosed in October 2023 after being told a lump in her breast was a dried-up milk duct from breastfeeding. She felt isolated during her diagnosis and treatment. She is now advocating for greater representation of Black women, particularly young mothers.

Read Nellie's story

A man is outside looking at the camera. He's wearing a light-coloured shirt and has a beard. There are trees behind him.

Meet Mohammad

Mohammad 40, called the Macmillan Support line for help when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, after months of misdiagnosis. He had previously enjoyed an active life but he is now disabled and living with a stoma, as a result of his treatment. 

 

Read Mohammad's story

A close-up of a woman looking at the camera. She is sitting on a sofa at home.

Meet Siobhan

Siobhan was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 58. She had just been made redundant and her life felt more uncertain than ever. She had a Macmillan’s Holistic Needs Assessment to help her navigate her cancer journey.  

Read Siobhan's story

A woman in is sitting on a front door step looking at the camera. She has long blonde hair and a tattoo on her arm.

Meet Ali

Ali, 46, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2015. Not being able to have open and honest conversations about the impact of her treatment on her relationships and sex life made her feel isolated and alone. 

Read Ali's story

A young man of Asian heritage is sitting at home looking directly to camera. He has a goatee beard and is wearing a hat.

Meet LJ

LJ put his university plans on hold to undergo aggressive chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia. He’s now pursuing his creative ambitions and encouraging other men to use the support available and get checked if they feel unwell.

Read LJ's story

A Black man wearing a gym top and pendant is looking directly to camera.

Meet Roger

Roger, a health and fitness influencer and competitive body builder, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2024. Now, he wants to share his experience and get other men talking about cancer. 

Read Roger's story

An Asian woman is sitting in a kitchen looking to camera.

Meet Priyanka

Mother of two, Priyanka, 39, used her experience of triple negative breast cancer to write a book to help children understand a parent’s cancer diagnosis and challenge cancer taboos within her community. 

Read Priyanka's story

A close-up of a woman looking to camera. She has short hair and is wearing glasses and has piercings in her ears, nose and eyebrow. Her hearing aid is just visible.

Meet Heidi

Heidi, 52, from Cambridgeshire was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018. She now wants to use her experiences of Macmillan’s Deaf Cancer Support Project to further improve cancer care for deaf people in the UK. 

Read Heidi's story

We can't do it without you

We do whatever it takes for people with cancer, but we can’t do it without you. There are so many ways you can get stuck in and help change the future of cancer care.
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Donate now

Donate today to make sure we can continue to support people living with the everyday challenges of cancer - whatever they may be.

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Raise money

Whether you’re a champion runner, brownie-baker or volunteer, doing what you love best can raise vital money for cancer care.

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Campaign with us

We need people to speak up and advocate for the best care for people living with cancer in the UK.

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Volunteer

Minutes or months, hours or days, as a volunteer you can help us make people's lives better.