Tracey Cochran at home in Rutherglen with her pet chihuahua Lucy Picture: Martin Shields HUNDREDS of cancer patients in Glasgow turned to a charity for “lifeline” help dealing with the financial impact of the illness during the coronavirus pandemic. During 2020 Macmillan gave £218,000 in hardship grants to people with cancer in the city, supporting more than 660 to pay for home comforts and essentials, such as heating their homes, travel to hospital appointments, bedding and clothing. Anthony Crawford was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2020 and, for the first time in his life, he was unable to work. The 56-year-old turned to Macmillan for financial help, having initially been reluctant to admit he needed support.
Thousands of Scots cancer patients have sought help to pay bills and heat homes IT might be the last thing on your mind when you are facing a terminal cancer diagnosis just how you are going to heat your home and clothe yourself. However, a new study has found that for thousands of Scots it is a harsh reality as they having to rely on grants to heat their homes and put clothes on their backs. Macmillan Cancer Support provided £1.2m in grants to almost 3700 people to help them pay for necessities last year and the charity says the figures are a timely reminder of the huge financial stresses cancer causes.