Cancer patients need fuel help

3:26pm Thursday 13th November 2008

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I AM writing to give backing to Macmillan Cancer Support’s campaign to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients.

Rising fuel prices have affected many of us, but for cancer patients the effects can be even more keenly felt.

Spending longer periods at home during recovery is just one of the reasons cancer patients have increased energy needs. Coupled with the effects of the treatment itself, this means that cold really is colder with cancer.

In a recent Macmillan survey, two-thirds of cancer patients struggling financially said paying fuel bills is their biggest money worry. Cancer patients face higher bills at a time when their income has often decreased, but do not automatically qualify for help.

Nobody with cancer should be left in the cold this winter because they cannot afford to heat their home. Macmillan is urging the Government to extend the winter fuel payment to cancer patients.

If anyone is struggling to cope with the financial effects of cancer, visit macmillan.org.uk or call 0800 500 800 to find out more and to obtain a copy of Macmillan’s ‘Help with the Cost of Cancer’ booklet and ‘Managing Fuel Costs’ fact sheet.

MR PAUL BAXTER Castlefields