Macmillan Cancer Support awarded £104,000 to people with cancer in Dorset in financial hardship last year thanks to funds raised by its supporters.

According to the charity, four in five people living with cancer experience a financial impact. The average is £570 a month.

Around £44,000 in Macmillan grants helped people with cancer in Dorset to pay for heating and clothing, as having cancer can mean you feel the cold more and spend more time at home between treatments.

Approximately £14,845 was given to people struggling to cover the cost of travelling to and from their appointments with costs that could not be reclaimed through their hospital.

In total, the charity gave grants to 3,927 people with cancer in South West England last year. These grants were most commonly given to people living with breast cancer in Dorset.

A 50-year-old lady from Dorchester, who received one of Macmillan’s grants in 2018, commented: “Being put in touch with a Macmillan benefits advisor during my treatment for breast cancer was a huge support to me during a very difficult period.

"I was awarded a grant that I used to purchase soft post-surgery bras and a wig which are things I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise and made such a difference to me. I also used the grant money to help with my increased heating bills and to pay for fuel to get to Poole for my radiotherapy treatment.

"I am very grateful for the support I received from Macmillan and would urge anyone struggling with bills during cancer treatment to get in touch.”

Christine Land, a benefits advisor for Macmillan, said: "These grants are firstly for immediate needs. Clothes and warmth. People with cancer often need post-surgery clothes and also they can lose a great deal of weight so need clothes that actually fit them.

"The fact that Macmillan are enabling us to do this is amazing. It is so important that these people get the right support and we want people to know about the support we can give."

Ed Murphy, Macmillan Head of Service South West England said: “Half of us will get cancer at some point in our lives so I’m pleased Macmillan awarded around £104,000 in grants last year to ease the money worries of people with cancer in Dorset.

“Cancer can affect so many parts of your life and our grants covered essentials from heating to travel costs for people with cancer in Dorset in 2018.

“I’d urge anyone with cancer to get in touch to find out how we can support you.”

For more information, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 0000 or visit macmillan.org.uk/moneyworries.

Macmillan is funded almost entirely by donations. Visit macmillan.org.uk/getinvolved today to donate or volunteer.