No one should face cancer alone

‘Having cancer can be a lonely experience – but online I could have contact with other people in a similar situation, at any time and you don’t feel so alone. I no longer felt like a victim really, I felt like I was empowered.’ After being diagnosed with breast cancer Beverley had a mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction surgery. As she recovered she found support through Macmillan’s Online Community. Join others like Beverley on our online community http://community.macmillan.org.uk/ Photograph: Macmillan

‘When Betty was really ill, we weren't sure how to handle things or what we should be saying to her. Tony pointed us in the right direction. Under his guidance we did the right things, at the right time.’ Bill’s wife Betty was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2007. Sadly doctors were unable to remove the tumour. While Betty was recovering from the operation, the couple met Tony, who went on to become their Macmillan nurse. Bill says the whole family became very fond of Tony, and wouldn’t have coped without him. Watch Bill’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Bill Photograph: Macmillan

‘My Macmillan nurse Vikki stopped me from spiralling into despair. She caught me before I got there.’ When Kate was diagnosed with cervical cancer, she had a million and one questions. Thankfully her Macmillan nurse Vikki was there to answer them. ‘Vikki stopped me from spiralling into despair. She caught me before I got there.’ Kate also found information and support online: ‘Macmillan’s website is really informative, and the Macmillan Support Line. If I didn’t understand something the consultant said, I’d remember it and look it up on the website later on. You know you’re going to get really good, accurate information from there.’ Kate’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Kate Photograph: Macmillan

‘If Emma hadn’t been there I wouldn’t like to think what would’ve happened. She caught me as I was falling and picked me back up.’ When Lloyd was diagnosed with lung cancer he felt completely lost and was worried about missing his mortgage payments. But Emma, a Macmillan Benefit Adviser, was there to make sure Lloyd got the benefits he was owed and didn’t have to face it alone. Lloyd’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Lloyd Photograph: Macmillan

‘I felt like I was falling from a great height but Pat, my Macmillan nurse, was there to catch me.’ When Mario was diagnosed with cancer, he was too ill to work and struggled financially. But Pat was there to listen to him and arranged for him to receive a Macmillan Grant. ‘I had everything ripped away from me but Pat was the one person I could turn to,’ Mario says. And now he’s in remission, Mario’s started volunteering alongside Pat at his local Macmillan information and support centre. Mario’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Mario Photograph: Macmillan

‘I was lying in bed thinking this is not curable, what does it mean? I was very, very scared – and that’s when Erica walked in.’ When Patsy was diagnosed with multiple myeloma she was told the illness was treatable, but not curable. But Erica, Patsy’s Macmillan nurse, was there to reassure Patsy. ‘All of a sudden I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Patsy’s now in remission and can’t say enough about the support Macmillan provided. ‘If I could go back to the Patsy lying in that room, I would say “You’re supported by an amazing group of people. Trust them and look forward to a bright future.”’ Watch Patsy’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/AboutUsHome.aspx Photograph: Macmillan

‘Macmillan is always there if you need them. And they supported my wife too. Without them, she wouldn’t have been able to look after me and I would’ve fallen even further.’ When Paul reacted badly to his treatment for throat cancer, he had to have a feeding tube fitted. So he was introduced to Catherine, a Macmillan dietitian. Paul says he wouldn’t have got by without Catherine and the rest of the Macmillan team – they even helped him do the Great North Run. Now Paul and his wife Jayne continue to fundraise for Macmillan so that others can have the same levels of support. Paul’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/GetInvolved/CasestudiesIM/Paul.aspx Photograph: Macmillan

‘We didn’t just have a oh you’re my benefits adviser relationship, you know. We created a friendship, a relationship and that happens for a good reason and that’s really what I want to give back.’ Being diagnosed with colon cancer at 27 came as quite a shock to Thom. ‘It’s beyond reality really – especially when you’re a perfectly fit 27-year-old.’ Emergency surgery followed by chemotherapy left him feeling ‘like a complete zombie’ but Macmillan’s Mustard Tree Centre was his ‘little bit of heaven’. There he found help from Denise, a benefits adviser, who helped him successfully claim the benefits he was entitled and a Macmillan Grant. Thom’s story http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Thom Photograph: Macmillan