Young campaigners name on Rishi Sunak to launch most cancers journey fund

As a Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker at Southampton hospital, every single day I see simply how a lot of an affect the price of travelling to remedy can have on kids and younger individuals with most cancers.

Some have to chop again on meals, others are in debt and a number of other younger individuals have even thought of stopping chemo all collectively when monetary struggles pushed them to the sting.

In my 16 years supporting younger individuals with most cancers, I’ve by no means seen it so unhealthy.

Young Lives vs Cancer is asking for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund to assist the 71 p.c of younger individuals and households struggling to afford journey to hospital get the help they want.

On common, they’re paying out £250 additional a month on issues like gas, congestion expenses, taxis fares and parking prices on high. All to get to hospital for important remedy.  

In my position, I help younger individuals between the ages of 16-25. They are largely at college, uni or new to the working world.

Many younger individuals need to cease work and are placed on Statutory Sick Pay or Universal Credit however they normally don’t cowl the monetary commitments they have already got – telephone contract, automotive insurance coverage, lease – not to mention the added value of journey.

They don’t have a pot of cash to dip into and lots of don’t have household to fall again on financially both. They’re usually residing to their means.

Some can get their journey prices reimbursed however they don’t have the cash upfront to pay for it.

Take Vic…at 21 she simply began renting her first flat. She was managing lease and payments positive till a most cancers prognosis meant having to cease work and paying as much as £200 on ferry tickets from Isle of Wight to Southampton hospital, usually a number of instances per week.

She needed to transfer out and was struggling to make ends meet. Halfway by means of remedy issues obtained so unhealthy she thought of stopping chemo.

I managed to assist with charity grants and made a particular association with the ferry firm however sadly these grants aren’t sufficient to satisfy the fundamental issues younger individuals have to pay out for whereas on remedy.

Young Lives vs Cancer is asking for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund as a result of kids and younger individuals with most cancers, like Vic, and their households deserve the monetary help to verify they will get to remedy.

They need to not have to chop again on meals or promote their possessions or go into debt due to journey prices. They need to concentrate on what issues, getting by means of remedy.

– Kate Wheeler is a Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker