Here For You when you need it most

Friends of the Cancer Centre is committed to ensuring that the work of the charity helps to make a difficult time a little easier. For those affected by cancer across Northern Ireland, and their families, the patient comfort measures the charity provides can make a huge difference both whilst undergoing treatment and into survivorship.

As part of our Here For You campaign, we are highlighting how the financial support provided by the charity is supporting families through their diagnosis and treatment. 

For some people affected by cancer, they may have to cut their working hours, or stop working all together, in order to receive the treatment they need. Whilst this is necessary, it can lead to a vast difference in income. This, coupled with the potential increased cost of travel, heating, and clothing during treatment can lead to a requirement for financial support during this time.

Friends of the Cancer Centre very proudly funds a programme of financial grants which help to support those experiencing financial hardship as a result of their treatment. During 2021, Friends of the Cancer Centre provided £128,722.49 in financial support to 439 people across Northern Ireland. This included helping to alleviate general financial pressures for 109 patients, supporting 121 local families with travel costs associated with treatment, and helping 89 people pay necessary utility and home heating bills.  

Friends of the Cancer Centre works closely with the social work teams in the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre and the North West Cancer Centre, Altnagelvin, to identify those patients and families who need support. The social work team will meet with a patient, identify what support would be most appropriate, and can apply to the charity for a grant on the patient’s behalf. 

Colleen Shaw, chief executive of Friends of the Cancer Centre, said:

“We, at the charity, see each and every day how much of a difference a grant from Friends of the Cancer Centre can make to patients and their loved ones. We know that the last thing people will want to have to think about during treatment is finances, and we are so pleased that with our support this doesn’t have to be a worry.

“On many occasions a grant can be provided to the patient within days of a social worker applying to the charity for support, helping to alleviate much anxiety by allowing them to pay bills or buy necessities.”

If you would like to find out more about what support is available through Friends of the Cancer Centre, please visit the ‘How We Help’ section of our website.