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When I got my original breast cancer diagnosis, I was told that I would only need a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and tablets. And I felt kind of ok about that. But then things changed in the autumn, the diagnosis changed to grade three.

I started having investigations in April 2022 – an ultrasound, then an urgent CT scan. I was told I had a sinister growth on my pancreas. I knew exactly what that meant.

In 2015, my husband Dave was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Since then he’s had numerous courses of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. He is on permanent chemotherapy that he has every day through a port.

I remember having the Victoria Derbyshire show in my living room in the background one Saturday. It was an episode about breast cancer, with a part on how to examine your breasts.

In 2020, Katya's mum, Jackie, died of breast cancer. Within six months, Katya was diagnosed with breast cancer, and so was her mum’s best friend, Kath. They share how Maggie's has supported them across two centres and their motivation for raising £16,000.

Pawel and Klem's son Hugo was almost one when Pawel was told that a brain tumour was causing his strange symptoms.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021, I would have told you that all I wanted was to get to the end of treatment and throw the whole experience in the bin. But that is no longer the case.

Throughout my life, I have always had to be strong. I always thought that I was. But cancer completely changed how I see strength.

Diagnosed at 65, Mike’s first thought was to not seek treatment. Conversations at the centre helped Mike realise that there was a way forward. Three years on, he’s fit, healthy and happy – and a key part of the community at Maggie’s West London.

Patrick and I were together for nearly 35 years. We met in our early 20s - it was a holiday romance!

Ray's prostate cancer was detected in a blood test after having a stroke. He shares how Maggie's helped him find suitable accommodation, as well as a sense of optimism and humour.

Before my diagnosis of myeloma in 2018, I had never heard the word before.

I’d heard about how lovely Maggie’s was through friends. So, in April, when I was diagnosed with anal cancer, I knew exactly where to go for support.

I have lived in lots of different places: Edinburgh, London, Aotearoa in New Zealand where I was born, and Melbourne where I met my husband Chris. Just under four years ago, we moved to Tokyo with my work.

It was just me and mum together since I was six.

When Rhys was diagnosed with cancer, he found the dynamics of having cancer and looking after his children particularly difficult. Regular phone calls with the Edinburgh centre helped Rhys through a tough time.

This summer I cycled to every single Maggie’s centre. I started in Swansea and finished in Inverness. It was an incredible 16‐day, 1,180 mile journey and I raised £24,000.

In 2011, at the age of 42, Lisa was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a very rare blood cancer. Here, she describes her complete shock on first hearing the news and what she’s learned from living with cancer for the last decade.

My mum's name was Pat. She was a bubbly, outgoing character with lots of friends. Her kids, her family and animals meant the most to her; going on walks with her dog Buddy was her idea of heaven.

I was 50 when I had breast cancer, 20 years ago. I was working as a childminder, a job I really loved and I was about to open my own nursery.