Two black women hugging

Our strategy

Let's change the future of cancer care together

We do whatever it takes for people living with cancer. That’s almost 3.5 million people in the UK today, and that number will continue to grow. This means it will take even more to help them every single year. More nurses in their corner. More bake sales to raise life-changing donations. More time to answer the phone with a listening ear.  

Our new organisational strategy sets out how we’ll fight even harder to make every pound you raise count for even more. With your help, we’ll transform cancer care for good. 

 

What we stand for

We do whatever it takes to get every person the best support today and spark a revolution in cancer care for the future.

You can read more detail about Macmillan's strategy and how we're going to spark a revolution in cancer care by downloading our printable version.

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Download now
You can also download and read a version of Macmillan's strategy in Welsh.
People walking along a beach waving at the camera

Our objectives

Who needs us most? Where are people really struggling? What are the biggest barriers to care we need to take down? Important questions like these helped us put four areas at the heart of our new strategy.

1. Reach everyone, especially those who need us most

A female nurse wearing a blue uniform hugging a man

2. Make cancer care fair for everyone

A hairdresser and her client laughing

3. Offer more personal support

A Macmillan nurse is sitting between two patients in a group and is talking with one of them

4. Better care everywhere

More about our objectives

How we’re taking action right now

We’ve already rolled up our sleeves and started charging towards our goals. Read more about what we’re doing today, and where we’re heading next. 
Two men are playing dominoes on a table inside a large conference room. Behind them are other tables with people playing dominoes and chatting. They are all members of the Pineapple Club in South East London.
Getting to work
Two men are playing dominoes on a table inside a large conference room. Behind them are other tables with people playing dominoes and chatting. They are all members of the Pineapple Club in South East London.

People with cancer told us

Your views drive our change.
A woman giving a presentation at the launch of Improving Cancer Journey for Macmillan Cancer Support

Mary, received support from Improving Cancer Journey Service in Glasgow 

 

“People need to talk more and share information widely. No single organisation can do everything. Working in partnership is key.”  

A person smiling at the camera. They're wearing glasses and a hearing aid. They have cropped hair and a rainbow and stars tattoo on their neck.

 Heidi, part of Macmillan’s Deaf Cancer Support Project

 

"I felt like the only Deaf person with cancer. There was no support, I had to keep everything to myself. I had to shut myself down as it was the only way I could get through it, now to have someone to talk to is amazing."

A man wearing a hat, hiking in the countryside.

Will, shares his experience of having cancer and a heart condition

 

“The co-morbidity of my heart and cancer diagnosis on top of poor communication between teams caused me no end of stress and confusion. I felt completely swept aside when my operation couldn’t go ahead. There doesn’t seem to be one person driving the patient’s care in complex cases like mine that involve more than one team."

A lady with curly brown shoulder length hair wearing glasses. Smiling at a dinner table.

Samina, Lived Experience Advisor for Macmillan's new strategy

 

“Involving people with real experiences of cancer, and helping grassroots organisations feel seen and heard is the only way to reach people and get cancer care right for communities. This approach has to be an integral part of Macmillan’s work.”

The latest updates

Read more from the team about the work we're doing to transform cancer care in our series of blogs.
 
A young man of Asian heritage is sitting at home at a desk in front of a laptop. He's holding a camera. There are plants and ornaments in the background.A young man of Asian heritage is sitting at home at a desk in front of a laptop. He's holding a camera. There are plants and ornaments in the background.
Over half a million young adults think cancer only really happens in old age
Anthony Cunliffe, National Lead Medical Adviser at Macmillan, talks about the misconception that cancer only really happens to people in old age.
A woman talking and handing out Macmillan information to another woman at a Coffee MorningA woman talking and handing out Macmillan information to another woman at a Coffee Morning
Being there for everyone
Macmillan’s Chief Partnerships Officer Steven McIntosh reflects on the challenges of trying to do everything everywhere and the urgent need for collaboration on a deeper level.
A Macmillan speech and language therapist is with a patient in a hospital consulting room. She is examining the patient's neck. A Macmillan speech and language therapist is with a patient in a hospital consulting room. She is examining the patient's neck.
Change is needed
Our latest analysis shows that the number of people living with cancer in the UK has now risen to almost 3.5 million. Read about how we are taking action and how you can help.
Read more updates

A word from Gemma Peters, our Chief Executive


"Better is possible and, by working differently, we’ll have an even greater impact.”  

 

Read our CEO’s open letter demanding better for people with cancer, and sharing how we’re fighting for a better future. 

Gemma Peters with long brown hair, smiling at the camera in a blue outfit.
Read Gemma's note
Gemma Peters with long brown hair, smiling at the camera in a blue outfit.

How you can make a difference

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.
Dark green hiking boots on a light green background.Dark green hiking boots on a light green background.
Raise life-changing funds
Whether you’re a champion runner, brownie-baker or volunteer, doing what you love best can raise vital money for cancer care.
A dark green megaphone on a light green background.A dark green megaphone on a light green background.
Raise your voice
We need people to speak up and advocate for the best care for people living with cancer in the UK.
A stopwatch on a light green background.A stopwatch on a light green background.
Give your time
Minutes or months, hours or days, as a volunteer you can help us make people's lives better.