Nearly 180 people living with cancer in Southwark got tens of thousands of pounds in grants from a cancer charity to help with rising costs of living.
Macmillan Cancer Support gave £64,650 last year to people facing the ‘triple threat’ – financial difficulties because of being ill, Covid-19 hitting jobs and the economy, and the skyrocketing costs of living.
The grants help people pay for essentials such as heating bills and hospital transport costs, after they are diagnosed with cancer or underwent cancer treatment.
South Londoner Kewcha, who found out she had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2007, was helped by a Macmillan grant: “I was able to access a Macmillan grant through my allocated key worker at King’s College Hospital. From this one-off payment I was able to purchase a bed which made life much easier for me, as at times I was too sick to leave the house. My Macmillan grant brought some comfort when I needed it most.
“Cancer brings many challenges but worrying about paying for essentials such as heating shouldn’t be one of them. I’d encourage anyone who is struggling with the financial impact of their diagnosis to contact Macmillan and access the help and support they can offer.”
Macmillan’s research shows that more than eight out of ten people in the UK who get cancer also have to reckon with the financial impact of their diagnosis.
Unexpected costs could include wigs or post-surgery clothing, a new bed for someone who can no longer climb the stairs to their bedroom, or fresh bedding for people who become incontinent or have other side-effects from their treatment.
And one of the biggest expenses is higher energy bills, because many people undergoing cancer treatment need to have the heating on for longer, as a side effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This is particularly tough now, with energy prices on the rise.