780 people in the UK are told everyday that they have cancer. Macmillan is here to help them receive the practical, financial, medical and emotional support they need during their cancer journey.
2008 was a massive year for the charity. Macmillan campaigns on behalf of people with cancer to make improvements in cancer care and the hard work has paid off. By 2011, all cancer patients in the UK will no longer have to pay for their prescriptions. The impact a cancer diagnosis can bring on finances can be tremendous so thanks to Macmillan working closely with the government, this will be one financial burden, which will disappear in the near future.
Hospital parking charges are set to go the same way, as the government, NHS trusts and Macmillan are looking at ways to reduce or abolish hospital parking charges for cancer patients who regularly have to have multiple appointments for treatment.
In Hastings, Macmillan has a team of 16 professionals working in and around the town to support people with cancer. Most of them work at the Conquest Hospital, but the community team also work in the surrounding area helping people in their own homes who may not be able to travel to hospital or would just prefer to undergo treatment in a safe environment they are used to.
This growing team ensures more and more people can be treated locally. In the past, patients often had to wait up to six months for an appointment and then travel to London for treatment. The Conquest team has such a wide-range of experience that the majority of cancers can now be treated locally. Removing the stress of travelling long distances as well as speeding up the time taken to arrange an appointment greatly improves the chance of success of treatment and makes a huge improvement to the lives of local patients, carers and families.
And Macmillan doesn’t just provide professionals for people with cancer. We recognise the financial impact a diagnosis can have on a patient, so Macmillan provides benefits advice and grants to those with the greatest need.
In 2007, the charity provided over £18,500 in grants to 56 people living in Hastings, to help ease their financial burden. The majority of these grants were to pay for everyday items that we would normally not struggle with such as clothing, heating and travelling expenses to and from hospital for treatment. In 2008, Macmillan increased these grants, providing over £20,000 to over 60 people in need of financial support in Hastings and the surrounding area.
Whatever the problem, Macmillan Cancer Support is there to help. Our ambition is to provide support to everyone affected by cancer by 2010. Together with your help, we can continue to make a real difference and improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
We’d love for you to get involved, and to find out how you can help please visit www.macmillan.org.uk/east sussex or call the Sussex fundraising team on 01273 746601.
Reg charity No 261017