Young cancer patients in Suffolk 'can't afford' to travel to treatment
The charity 'Young Lives vs Cancer' say some are skipping treatment
Last updated 13th Jul 2023
Young Lives vs Cancer, a charity dedicated to supporting young cancer patients, say many can't afford to travel for their treatment.
They've called for the establishment of a Young Patient Travel Fund, which aims to address the escalating financial burdens faced by families as they travel for life-saving cancer treatment.
"No one should be in a position where they can't afford to come in for treatment, and that should be an absolute."
Lee, a social worker from the charity, has shed light on the dire circumstances experienced by these individuals:
"Many young patients rely on the support of both parents during their treatment journey - and the expenses incurred by transportation and accommodation place an additional burden on already stretched family budgets...
"The proposed Young Patient Travel Fund aims to alleviate financial strains and ensure that no young cancer patient misses out on life-saving treatment due to financial limitations."
#RunningOnEmpty
Young Lives vs Cancer's now launched the 'Running on Empty' campaign, which will see a petition sent to government to ratify a fund if it reaches enough signatures.
Lauren Marks, the policy and public affairs manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, explained the motivation behind the campaign:
"Our research earlier this year revealed that children and young people with cancer, on average, spend £250 every month and travel an average of 350 miles monthly for their treatment.
"Disturbingly, 71% of them reported struggling to meet the cost of transportation, with 10% even admitting to missing or delaying their treatment due to financial constraints.
"It is truly shocking to realize that young cancer patients and their families have to shoulder the financial burden of transportation on top of everything else they endure.
"At Young Lives vs Cancer, we firmly believe that these individuals should not have to worry about the cost of traveling to receive the specialist care and support they desperately need."
You can find out more about the campaign here: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/