'Wow!' — Croydon cancer patients given £40,000 in grants

Over £40,000 was given to cancer patients in Croydon in the form of hardship grants during 2020, Macmillan Cancer Support have said.

The charity made the grants available to cancer patients living in London and facing financial difficulties, and gave over £1 million in grants to Londoners last year alone.

More than £44,000 of that money went to cancer patients in Croydon facing financial difficulties and the increased pressures of the disease and coronavirus.

"I wasn’t actually aware of Macmillan Grants until someone recommended that I contact the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Croydon Hospital.

"It was thanks to the help of Benny, who used to run the centre, that I received a hardship grant. When I was told I was eligible, it was just like 'wow!' said Croydon single mum Dellasie Avorkliyah.

Dellasie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 28, and faced the financial hardships of being on Universal Credit and raising her son at the same time.

"That money might not seem like a huge amount to some, but when you’re living on Universal Credit, a Macmillan grant can make a massive difference. I am so grateful for that," she said.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer, my finances were one of my main concerns.

"As a single mum, who’s the sole income earner, there’s a lot of pressure anyway. But when my cancer treatment made it impossible to continue working, that pressure only became more intense."

Macmillan said the grants are means-tested, one-off payments of £350 aimed at helping people living with cancer on low incomes, and are introduced alongside research from the charity that reports more than a third of people with cancer (39 per cent) are severely financially impacted by their diagnosis.

Kymberly Goh, Macmillan welfare benefits team manager in south London, said the charity would do "whatever it takes" to support cancer sufferers during the pandemic impacted financially by the disease.

"As COVID-19 continues to impact the lives of people with cancer, we want to reassure everyone that Macmillan is here to help – we’ll do whatever it takes," she said.

"One way we can help is with a Macmillan grant, which can cover the cost of those everyday essentials that make a big difference to the lives of people living with cancer, especially at the moment.

"Imagine you can’t pay your heating bill, your washing machine is broken or you need to buy a blender because cancer treatment means you are having trouble eating, but you can’t afford one.

"It’s these basics that a Macmillan grant can help pay for, making someone’s life that bit easier when they need it most.

"So, if you’re struggling to meet the extra costs of cancer, call Macmillan to see if you are eligible for a grant, as well as checking what other benefits you might be entitled to claim, and to access the rest of the support we offer. Macmillan is only a phone call away and we will move mountains to help," she added.

Click here for more information on Macmillan grants and how to apply.