A CANCER charity is calling on the government to help cancer patients struggling financially.
Macmillan Cancer Support has revealed that in 2016 it gave out grants totalling around £24,5001 to Blackburn with Darwen residents who were struggling with the financial hardship that can come with cancer.
The charity said around 66 Blackburn with Darwen cancer patients are relying on charity handouts to stay above the breadline. They are calling on the Government to change the law to ensure banks do more to ‘play their part’ and change the law so that banks and financial service providers have a legal duty of care to their customers.
Jo Trask, Macmillan Information and Support Specialist and Welfare Rights Expert, said: “We talk to many people who are facing a very tough time financially so being able to offer a Macmillan grant, where people are eligible, can be a real lifeline.
“It’s often to help with things like increased energy costs due to feeling the cold more; kitchen appliances such as food processors for people who can’t eat solid food and travel to and from hospital for appointments."
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