About Macmillan Cancer Support

In 1911, a young man named Douglas Macmillan watched his father die of cancer. His father's pain and suffering moved Douglas so much, he founded the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer.

Douglas wanted advice and information to be provided to all people with cancer, homes for patients at low or no cost, and voluntary nurses to attend to patients in their own homes.

Since then, it's grown to become the UK’s leading source of cancer support, helping more and more people living with cancer.

Macmillan is one of the UK's largest cancer charities, which means it has the financial resources to do a lot:

It provides services to people living with cancer
It raises money and is 98% funded by donations
It lobbies government and other decision-makers
It supports the cancer workforce
It researches cancer care
It helps employers support their staff

Macmillan also provides support in the form of specialist cancer nurses called Macmillan Nurses. These are registered nurses with skills and experience in caring for people with cancer and can help you understand your cancer diagnosis and treatment, supporting you and the people close to you during your cancer journey.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a well known cancer charity, and whilst you may have come across it in a hospital setting, you're more likely to know it thanks to it's annual Macmillan Coffee Morning.

The Macmillan Coffee Morning is its biggest fundraising event of the year, raising money to support people living with cancer.

People, businesses, and even schools across the UK host their own Macmillan Coffee Morning, with donations raised on the day made to the charity. In 2023, it raised more than £16 million.

Here at Cancer Support UK, we're a much smaller charity but we still have lots to offer those living with and beyond cancer across the UK.

We provide:

Trusted information about cancer signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options
Free Cancer Kits to adults and children undergoing their physical treatment for cancer
A free six week Cancer Coach programme to people aged 18 and over who have completed treatment and need ongoing emotional support
Advice, information and training to employers that want to make their workplaces more supportive to employees with a cancer diagnosis

About Macmillan Cancer Support

Background to Macmillan Cancer Support

What Macmillan Cancer Support does

What Macmillan Cancer Support is best known for

How do we differ from Macmillan Cancer Support?

Visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website