COST OF LIVING CRISIS: People living with cancer struggling with rising living costs, warns Maggie's Highland, which has centre at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness
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People living with cancer are more anxious about money than their diagnosis, a Highland charity has warned.
Maggie’s Highland, which has a centre based in the grounds of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, offers support and advice to people with cancer.
Seonaid Green, head of the centre, said the cost of living crisis is having a worrying impact and some people are unable to afford to put fuel in their car to visit the centre.
“We have always heard from people who have struggled with money but this has been taken to a new level in the past couple of months as the cost of living rises and people find themselves having to cut back,” she said.
She said last month felt particularly tight with families having to buy school uniforms for children going back to school while in just one week she had also spoken to three men who said they were more anxious about money than their cancer. “Never in my 20 years working in cancer support have I heard people say this,” she said.
“We are lucky to be able to offer a virtual support service at Maggie’s Highlands so that people can still access cancer support and fortunately that also includes benefits advice.
“Many people are prioritising putting food on the table and simply can’t afford to put fuel in the tank to come to visit us. It’s a very worrying situation.”
Andrew Benjamin, the centre’s fundraising manager, said the public support was more urgent than ever.
“We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is having a huge and growing impact on everyone in our community,” he said.
“Maggie’s is here right now to support people with cancer who are also carrying the anxiety that their treatment or recovery will be negatively affected by rising costs.”
He appealed to the public for donations to help provide vital financial advice and support to enable people to pay their bills and stay safe and warm this winter.
“We rely almost entirely on public donations to operate and our support is more urgent now than ever,” Mr Benjamin said.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will directly help people with cancer in our community through the most difficult of times.”
The UK head of Maggie’s has also warned that the recently-announced energy price cap – which will see the typical household gas and electricity bill rise to £3549 a year from next month – is devastating for people with cancer.
Chief executive Dame Laura Lee said a survey had shown that 67 per cent of people with cancer already thought heating bills were going to be a problem this winter.
“Let’s not forget people with cancer need to use more heating and electricity as they undergo treatment – while living on a reduced income,” she said.
“So this news is just added pressure, stress and anxiety for people at a time when they need to be focusing on treatment.
“I am shocked that people living with cancer today are being forced to worry about their basic needs being met.
“We can help though, and I urge anyone worried about paying their heating bills to visit their nearest Maggie’s.”
Go to www.maggies.org for further information.
