The Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has joined forces with CLIC Sargent to highlight the spiralling financial costs faced by young people affected by cancer, and their families.
This is a matter the Member has raised in the Assembly previously, as every year in Wales around 170 children and young people under 25 are diagnosed with cancer.
Having writing to the Welsh Government, Janet said:
“As the main cause of death from disease in teenagers and young adults in the UK, cancer can be devastating to families. Sadly, though, it affects a households financial situation also, at a time when they have far more pressing concerns.”
CLIC Sargent has found that parents spent an average of £600 on additional expenses a month during their child’s treatment.
This meant that 61% accumulated some debt, with 17% borrowing over £5,000 and around three-quarters of parents and over half of young people surveyed felt that managing their finances during treatment caused them additional stress and anxiety.
Janet continued:
“Reasons for additional cost are clear when considering the fact that patients here in Aberconwy travel all the way to Clatterbridge hospital on the Wirral to see the appropriate specialists. This is a 100 mile round trip from Llandudno, and 170 from Dolwyddelan.
“In 2012 I approached the Welsh Government asking them to work with organisations such as MacMillan to make real changes and reduce the unnecessary monetary pressures on those living with cancer.
“Today I have written to Vaughan Gething AM, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport, asking for the Government to review the travel assistance available to parents and young people, and the financial support accessible to young cancer patients and their parents.
“It is imperative that the Welsh Government agree with CLIC Sargent and me that financial burdens should be removed so to help individuals, families, focus on the most important goal: defeating cancer.”
ENDS
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