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In 2019, at the age of 32, Nicola was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. A really tough time followed, and over the next few months Nicola faced chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments as well as surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel.

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.

For Phil, there are few things better than the Men’s Group at Maggie’s. It’s where he can laugh, cry, and spend time with friends. Just don’t ask him what 'butty' means...

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

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

I’ve been given support to come to terms with my cancer, and to not be scared of it. But it took years to get to a better place, and I’m determined to help others get there too.

When I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, I’d only just turned 26. It was straightaway secondary, in my liver and in my bones. It was aggressive, and I was told I would be lucky if I would live for two to three years.

When the pandemic caused delays and disruption to Kim’s treatment, daughters Helen and Phillipa came to Maggie’s. For such a close-knit family, that support was really vital, and helped them to support their mum through such a difficult time.

I was at sea for many years where I achieved the rank of Captain. I'm retired now and I have just turned 70, become a grandfather and the sun is shining in the garden! Life feels very full and couldn’t be better. However, let’s turn the clock back to May

Katherine was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer on the third day of the first lockdown in 2020. Here, she tells us how Maggie's played a crucial part in her treatment plan during such a confusing time.

"I’d first thought about giving back to Maggie’s the very first time I went to the centre."

In 2019, Ashley was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer at 35. Immediately after her diagnosis, she visited Maggie's. Here, Ashley tells us how she found comfort in Maggie's virtual support groups during the pandemic.

When I finished treatment for head and neck cancer I wanted to give something back. I worked with Maggie's to bring back the Heads2gether support group.

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.

When I was diagnosed, I was just 16. I did two months of high-intensity chemotherapy, one of the highest rates they had ever given someone on the ward. But it wasn’t until after I finished treatment that things started to go downhill.

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

Like me, many people think ‘that’s it’ when they hear they have cancer. After having cancer four times and receiving treatment four times, I’m quite surprised that I am still here.

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.

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.

Secrecy, stigma and shame are deadly – snuffing out hope, confidence and joy. I know that from personal experience. It is time to ditch the culture of silence.