Macmillan Cancer Support
 | |
| Formation | 1911 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Douglas Macmillan |
| Founded at | Castle Cary, Somerset, United Kingdom |
| Type | Charitable organisation |
| Purpose | Provide specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and their families. |
| Headquarters | The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, SE1 9HZ |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 51°30′26.7″N 0°5′36.4″W / 51.507417°N 0.093444°W |
Region | United Kingdom |
Patron | The King |
Key people |
|
| Revenue | £230 million [1] (2023) |
| Staff | 1,687 [2] (2022) |
| Website | www |
Formerly called |
|
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities[3] and provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care. Macmillan Cancer Support's goal is to reach and improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer in the UK.
History
[edit]The charity was founded 1911[4] as the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer, by Douglas Macmillan following the death of his father from the disease. In 1924, the name was changed to the National Society for Cancer Relief, which it retained until 1989 when it was changed to Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, later changed again to Macmillan Cancer Relief. From 5 April 2006, Macmillan Cancer Relief became known as Macmillan Cancer Support, as this more accurately describes its role in supporting people who have cancer. It has adapted the principles of being a "source of support" and a "force for change".
As the National Society for Cancer Relief, the organization provided funding to support the work of the Breast Care and Mastectomy Association of Great Britain, which would later become Breast Cancer Care.
In 2023, Macmillan Cancer Support were listed as the top ranked charity in the United Kingdom in terms of which charities people would be likely to donate to tomorrow, according to YouGov's UK Charity rankings 2023.[5] It is governed by a Board of Trustees and Executive Management Team.[6]
The charity's head office is based in London.[7] Macmillan Cancer Support merged with cancer information charity Cancerbackup in 2008.
Macmillan works in partnership with other cancer research organisations and is a partner of the National Cancer Research Institute. Macmillan is part of the Richmond Group of Charities, which is a coalition of 14 leading health and social care organisations in the voluntary sector.[8]
Cancer Support
[edit]Macmillan Cancer Support provides support for people affected by cancer, including local information and support centres, cancer support groups, benefits advisers and cancer support specialists. The charity offers practical, medical, financial and emotional support to those living with and affected by cancer.[9]
In 2024, Macmillan's services reached and supported an estimated 2.4 million people affected by cancer.[10]
Virtual support
[edit]Macmillan provides several forms of virtual support for people affected by cancer, including:
- A free telephone Support Line, offering access to cancer information nurse specialists and money advisers.[11][12]
- The Macmillan Online Community, where people can share experiences and connect with others in similar situations.[13]
- The Macmillan Buddies service, which matches individuals with trained volunteers for regular emotional support.[14]
- Email-based information and guidance services.[15]
In-person support
[edit]In addition to virtual support, Macmillan Cancer Support offers in-person assistance through:
- Information and Support Centres located across the United Kingdom.[16]
- Macmillan nurses who work in hospitals, hospices and community settings.[17]
- No 7 Boots Macmillan Beauty Advisors, who provide free advice on managing visible side effects of cancer treatment.[18]
- Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists and Opticians, who can answer questions about medication and treatment-related issues.[19][20]
Events
[edit]Macmillan hosts a series of annual fundraising events, which include running, golf, swimming, and cycling events. The most notable event is the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, which made £16.8 million in 2023, compared to £13.7 million in 2022.[21] Macmillan also hosts other large fundraisers, including Brave the Shave, which raises over £4,000,000 each year,[22] as well as their Mighty Hikes series, which raised £12.3 million in 2023, compared to £11.2 million in 2022.[23]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Annual Report and Accounts 2023". Macmillan.org.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Charity Details for Charity Number 261017". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Macmillan Cancer Support". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ "Sparsholt Macmillan Coffee Morning raises £1,100". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ ""UK Charity Rankings 2023"". Retrieved 2023-01-01.
- ^ "Who we are". Archived from the original on November 19, 2008.
- ^ Charities Direct: Top 500 Charities – Expenditure Archived 2008-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Richmond Group of Charities". Richmond Group of Charities. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Macmillan services". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Annual reports". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Cancer Information Nurse Specialist". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Money Advisers". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Macmillan Online Community". EA Health & Wellbeing. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Macmillan Buddies". Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Macmillan services". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Information and Support Centres". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Macmillan services". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "No7 Macmillan Partnership". Boots UK. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacist". Boots UK. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Boots Macmillan Opticians". Boots UK. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Annual Report and Accounts 2023". Macmillan Cancer Support. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Ben's bold bravery as he has head shaved to boost cancer charity". The Gazette. 18 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ "Macmillan Annual Report". Macmillan. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
External links
[edit]
- Macmillan Cancer Support website
- About Macmillan Nurses
- About Sober for October
- Learning and Development – resources for professionals and people affected by cancer.
