Cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support gave more than £620,000 in hardship grants last year to help people with cancer across Wales struggling with the pandemic’s financial impact and the unexpected costs cancer can bring.
The charity’s grants are available to anyone living with cancer in Wales facing financial difficulties thanks to donations from the public.
During 2020 Macmillan gave more than £620,000 in hardship grants1 to 1,967 people with cancer across Wales meaning they were able to pay for home comforts and essentials, such as heating their homes, travel to hospital appointments, bedding and clothing.
Macmillan grants are means-tested, one-off payments of £350 aimed at helping people living with cancer on low incomes.
They can be a huge help especially when many cancer patients are having to shield during the current lockdown by paying for things like a new washing machine or going towards energy bills.
Retired hairdresser Liz Warren-Webster, from Swansea, was given £300 towards a new bed after being diagnosed with a sarcoma in September last year after finding a lump on her shoulder.
The 79-year-old has spent 20 years raising money for Macmillan’s Swansea-based Daffodil Group, which has raised an incredible £294,000 for Macmillan over the last decade.
Liz, who has also been diagnosed with further cancers following scans, said: “They asked if there was anything I needed, and I said I needed a new bed so I got £300 towards a new bed.
“I celebrated 20 years fundraising for Macmillan on 1 March and I am planning to keep on fundraising in the future.”
Macmillan reports that more than a third of people with cancer (39%) are severely financially impacted by their diagnosis2.
Macmillan expects their grants will continue to be a vital safety net for many and will become more in demand than ever as many families deal with the double blow of a cancer diagnosis and the financial impact of the pandemic.
All this at a time when the charity is facing a huge drop in fundraised income due to Covid-19 and donations are needed more than ever before.
The most common reasons people apply for Macmillan grants are: to buy new clothes when their cancer treatment had resulted in body changes; to help pay for higher than normal heating bills from staying at home; travel costs to and from regular hospital appointments, which can mount up significantly during treatment; and bedding.
Liz had her grant from Macmillan after having help from Macmillan welfare benefits adviser Jasmine Roberts.
Adrienne Rees, who is Macmillan Benefits Advice Team Manager at Neath Port Talbot Council where Jasmin works, said: “Macmillan’s one-off patient grants have been a huge help to patients who receive a lower income.
“The threshold for these grants is more generous than means-tested benefits from the government; this allows us to assist more patients.
“Many of our patients are surprised that they qualify for a grant where they may be receiving sick pay from work or where they have a small occupational pension. This grant offers relief and support to patients who feel they would not qualify for benefits or may be already in receipt of welfare benefits.
“We have accessed grant to help patients with various costs such as travel costs to the hospital for treatment, or a reclining chair to help the patient remain independent in their home in spite of the side effects of their treatment.
“Patients are hit hard with the extra cost of living with cancer and this grant can make a difference at a time when it really needed.”
Richard Pugh, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, said: “If you are struggling to meet the extra costs of cancer, I’d urge you to call Macmillan, or to contact one of our welfare benefits advisers across Wales, to see if you are eligible for a grant and the rest of the support on offer.
“Macmillan is only a phone call away and we are waiting to help you.”
To find out more about Macmillan grants, including who can apply, call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 (open seven days a week) and talk to the Macmillan Welfare Rights Team. Or visit macmillan.org.uk/grants.
The Macmillan Support Line also has specially trained nurses and cancer information specialists who can provide information and advice, as well as emotional support, to help people with cancer cope with the additional strain of the coronavirus pandemic.
