The cost of living crisis has prompted a leading cancer charity to launch its first-ever emergency grants appeal. Macmillan Cancer Support is appealing for donations to help cancer patients in London and across the UK with a one-off payment of £350. Now more than ever, Macmillan grants are a financial lifeline for cancer patients and their families, who already face increased costs as a result of a cancer diagnosis.
Previous research from Macmillan shows that 83% of people with cancer in the UK experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and for those affected, this reaches an average of £891 a month, on top of their usual expenditure[i].
The cost of cancer can spiral out of control, particularly during cancer treatment, when patients are often unable to work. Debbie, 55, a business owner and grandmother of one from Kensington found herself unable to work and struggled to afford travel to her hospital appointments. She was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in August 2021.
Debbie told us: “During my treatment we were spending £48 a week on taxis to my hospital appointments. It was 2021, and I couldn’t use public transport because of Covid and my immune system being low. I struggled with travel costs so much that I even tried to cycle to my chemo appointments, but I was so exhausted by the treatment that I couldn’t do it.”
A cancer diagnosis can bring other costs too. Side effects from treatment often mean that people feel the cold more, or need to wash clothing or bedding more often, which leads to high energy and water bills. Coupled with a drop in earnings as a result of not being able to work, the financial impact can be devastating.
Debbie explained more about the impact of her cancer diagnosis: “I was referred by my GP to the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital after my stomach became so bloated it was difficult to fit into my clothes. After lots of tests, I was referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital, where they confirmed that it was stage 3 ovarian cancer.”
“The nurse there advised me to contact Macmillan for support. By then, we were coming into the winter months, and I was worrying about how I would keep warm. Macmillan gave us £350 towards our gas and electricity, and another £350 towards transport costs. That certainly took some of the strain away from having to worry about high bills.”
Debbie lives with her partner, Dan, in Kensington. The couple went down to only one salary when Debbie was unable to work. Debbie said: “I’ve never claimed any kind of assistance or support from the government in my 34 years of living in the UK, so even though Macmillan said I was entitled to support, I was determined to live on what we had. But I hit breaking point having to deal with the skyrocketing costs of living. Eventually, I gave in and learnt that there’s no shame in asking for help.”
Macmillan is appealing for donations to its first ever emergency appeal. Every donation goes directly towards funding vital grants for people living with cancer this winter. Donate here: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/emergency-grants-appeal
Minesh Patel, Head of Policy at Macmillan Cancer Support says:
“Over the past few years people living with cancer have faced more challenges than at any other time in recent history. As well as the ongoing disruption and delays to cancer treatment across the UK, the rising cost of living is also causing many people to socially isolate to save money, which in turn risks impacting their mental health.
“Macmillan is doing whatever it takes to give people living with cancer the support they need. However, with the high number of people calling on us for support, we have far exceeded the amount we typically give out in grants this year. We can’t do this alone. We rely on donations for 98% of our income and are so grateful for the dedication of our supporters. But our work is far from done; things are tough and we must do more now than we’ve ever done before to support everyone living with cancer who needs our help.”
