A group of people are standing and talking to one another at an event. In front of them is a table decorated for a Macmillan Coffee Morning. Some people are holding plates with food on them.

Macmillan's Annual Report

Read our Annual Report and Accounts to find out more about the work we did to support people living with cancer in 2024. You can download our report in a range of formats or read some of the key highlights below.

Read our full Annual Report 2024Read the Annual Report overview

We want important information about Macmillan and our work to be as accessible as possible. We have produced the report in the following formats:

Annual Report and Accounts Overview - British Sign Language (BSL)

Watch our 2024 overview in BSL, with audio description and subtitles.

Whoever you are, whatever it takes

There are almost 3.5 million people with cancer in the UK - a record number that is continuing to rise. We know that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the hardest times in people's lives and that's why Macmillan exists. To do whatever it takes to help everyone with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.
An unfolded map with a pin on a light green background.

2.4 million


In 2024 alone, we helped 2.4 million people affected by cancer

A dark green signpost with four different arrows on a light green background.

484,000 people


We supported 484,000 people living with cancer with our in-person, phone and digital services

A dark green lanyard on a light green background.

100,000 hours


Our community of more than 11,000 volunteers gave more than 100,000 hours of their time

A dark green money collection tin on a light green background.

£239.7 million


Thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters we raised £239.7 million - this was 98% of our total income

How we helped

A dark green laptop on a light green background.

286,000 people


More than a quarter of a million (286,000) people with cancer found support through our Online Community

A dark green armchair on a light green background.

105,000 visitors


More than 105,000 people visited one of our Information Centres located at hospitals and community settings across the UK

A lined notebook with a dark green ballpoint pen on a light green background.

65,000 assessments


We supported healthcare professionals to deliver more than 65,000 holistic needs assessments

A dark green stethoscope on a light green background.

700,000 people


Our Macmillan nurses, support workers and palliative care nurses reached approximately 700,000 people living with cancer

Find out about the different ways we can help.

Supporting people living with cancer

Cancer can affect every single part of someone's life and no two people will experience cancer the same. That's why every day, we help people across the UK get the right support for their needs. We help people like Nathaniel, Natasha and Marcia - and millions more across the UK.
A headshot of Nathaniel. He has short brown hair and a brown beard. He is wearing a green Macmillan branded top and is viewed from the mid chest up. He is also wearing a rucksack as the blue straps are over his shoulders. Image credit - Kim Tobin

Nathaniel's story

"When life suddenly became completely uncertain, all the information I could possibly want was at my fingertips. What could I expect from treatment? Could I still go to work? How could I go about telling my friends and family? A Macmillan nurse on the Support Line talked me through the options in plain English. And as soon as I was pronounced ‘terminal’ a benefits advisor was on hand to help with the paperwork. Were it not for Macmillan, I wouldn’t have even known I was eligible. They supported me to get my head around what it’s like to be a dying man yet still have to face long waits for NHS treatments.”
Natasha is standing with her arms crossed. She has short brown and blonde hair. She is wearing a dark top and a bright lime green cardigan. She is smiling.

Natasha's story

"I knew about Macmillan so I phone up the Support Line and said, 'help!'. The nurse I spoke with was just amazing. She calmed me down. I’d come out of the consultation thinking ‘What’s next? What happens next?’ The nurse helped me untangle it all. She was able to explain what it meant and what was to happen next. She said, ‘if you need us, we can help hold your hand throughout this.’ To be quite honest, I’ve not had to go back to Macmillan, because that was all I needed. But no doubt I will come back to Macmillan when I need them again, because I am stage 4. At the moment everything is ‘touchwood’ stable. I think it’s when it’s not okay, that’s when we will call back Macmillan."
Marcia is standing with a group of people in a row. They are all wearing green baking aprons. The person in the middle is holding a Macmillan donation bucket. On either side of her the people are holding a green Macmillan sash. They are outside in a garden.

Marcia's story

"Macmillan were brilliant when our uncle was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He had really positive, practical support from his Macmillan nurse and also help with finances. But it’s not just the practical side of things, it’s the emotional support too. When he had finished treatment and came out on the other side, that’s when Macmillan really helped him. When [my sister] Doreen passed away in 1968, there was nothing like the type of support there is available now. So many people are affected by cancer and these experiences have really strengthened and motivated us to keep fundraising for Macmillan, so people get the support they need. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do."

View more stories from people living with cancer

A note from our Chief Executive, Gemma Peters

I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Macmillan in 2024. To our supporters, whose unwavering dedication and generosity to raise vital funds for people with cancer, can never be understated.

To our healthcare professionals who go the extra mile day in and day out to provide the very best care and support for people with cancer. And finally, to our colleagues and volunteers, each and every one of whom is so dedicated to doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of people with cancer across the UK.

Thank you for all that you do – we couldn’t continue to do what we do without your support.

Watch the video to hear more from Gemma and to learn about Macmillan's impact.


How we raised our money

Macmillan is almost entirely funded by generous donations from the public and our fundraising activities, which accounted for 98% of our income in 2024. In 2024, we raised £239.7 million thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters.

Our total income for 2024 was £245.5 million – this is £13 million more than in 2023.

A pie chart explaining how Macmillan Cancer Support raised money in 2024.
  • Total income: £245.5 million

    Legacy income: £106.0 million

    Legacy giving is when people leave a gift to us in their will. Find out more about gifts in wills. 

    Donation income: £115.3 million 

    Grant income: £1.0 million 

    We also receive income from grants which we apply for, these typically come from organisations and the government.

    Income from charitable activities: £3.2 million 

    Income from social impact investments for end of life care and other charitable activities. 

    Trading activities: £18.4 million 

    This includes income from our raffles and lotteries, fundraising committee sales, our online shop, licensing and royalties.

    Investment income: £1.6 million

    Income from our diverse investment portfolio which includes government and non-government bonds, money market funds and equities.

How we spent our money

We spent £150.4 million on supporting people living with and affected by cancer.

A pie chart showing how Macmillan Cancer Support spent money in 2024. This includes a breakdown on how much money was spent on cancer information and support services.

  • What we spend on charitable activities: £150.4 million

    Healthcare: £31.4 million

    Financial support: £44.6 million

    Campaigning and raising awareness: £19.4 million

    Information and support:  £38.0 million

    Practical and emotional support: £17.9 million

    Learning and development: £5.5 million

  • What we spent on raising income: £75.5 million
    Expenditure on raising income includes the costs incurred in raising legacy income, donation income, grant income and income from trading activities, including apportioned support costs. 

2024 highlights - doing whatever it takes

Two women in conversation, one has brown hair and is wearing a green patterned dress. The other is wearing a blue hijab and floral dress, she's also wearing a ceremonial gold chain around her neck

Shaping care to the needs of ethnically diverse communities

Launched in September 2024, the Community Connectors project aims to address inequalities in cancer care faced by people from ethnically diverse communities. Across Sandwell, the Black Country and west Birmingham, volunteers are helping others learn about cancer and feel more comfortable asking for support. Backed by a Macmillan grant, the initiative is already showing promise in driving meaningful change.

Read about the about the Black Country Community Connectors project.

Rainbow Project tram in Northern Ireland.

Creating cancer champions within the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland

Macmillan is working with the Rainbow Project to support LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. Launched in August 2024 and part of our Cancer Champions initiative, the Rainbow Project has employed six staff based in Belfast and Derry.

Discover more about our partnership with the Rainbow Project.

Professional working on the Macmillan Support Line, she is wearing headphones with a mic attached. She is has blonde hair and is wearing a floral print top with a green lanyard.

Being there for people living with cancer over the phone

Our Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. Our trained advisers provide emotional support and practical information about all aspects of cancer. In 2024, the Macmillan Support Line supported on average more than 260 people affected by cancer every day.

Read about what to expect if you're thinking about contacting the Macmillan Support Line.

Our past reports and accounts

Access current and past editions of our annual report and accounts.

Access lists of grants made to institutes and partner organisations.

You may also be interested in

Creating a representative organisation
As an organisation, it is one of our strategic objectives to represent and reflect everyone living with cancer, regardless of who they are.
What does the 10 Year Health Plan mean for people with cancer?
Joni Jabbal, Head of National Systems Change at Macmillan, reflects on what the 10 Year Health Plan means for people with cancer.
Demanding better cancer care for today and tomorrow
Gemma Peters, our Chief Executive, reflects on the first six months of 2025 and our ambitious new strategy coming to life.