A grandad diagnosed with leukaemia during the Covid pandemic had more than his health to worry about after his family suffered a huge drop in their income.
Graham McPherson, a production operator from Motherwell, was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia) in September.
Graham, 47, who has two children with his wife, Mary Kirwan, 50, initially felt aches all over his body.
His daughter Natalie Delaney, a nurse at University Hospital Wishaw, said: “The doctor took a blood test and two weeks later he was diagnosed.
“He also had a heart attack while in hospital so it’s been incredibly worrying.”
Seeing their parents struggle financially made things even more difficult for 27-year-old Natalie and her brother Michael, 29.
But soon the family found help after getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support, who helped them through the tough time.
Natalie said: “Mum was on sick pay before Christmas and was recovering from an operation so she was really struggling herself.
“Dad was luckily on furlough when everything kicked off but soon enough, following his diagnosis, their income dropped massively.
“The help and support was nothing short of amazing.
“Without the financial help and advice my parents received from Macmillan Cancer Support, I don’t how they would have coped.”
Last year, Macmillan Cancer Support provided £1.2 million in grants to almost 3700 people to help them pay for necessities.
About £457,000 was given out to help cancer patients pay for heating while another £370,000 was awarded to help them buy new clothes, often needed due to a change in body shape resulting from treatment.
Macmillan said the figures are a timely reminder of the huge financial stresses cancer causes.
Ahead of the May elections, the charity is calling on all political parties to pledge their support for the rapid roll-out of a model of cancer support which will ensure everyone with cancer is automatically offered financial, emotional and practical support.
Brendon Clark is a Welfare Rights Officer for North Lanarkshire’s Benefits Advice, a service funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and run by North Lanarkshire Council.
Brendon said: “Every day, I see the difference a Macmillan grant can have on someone’s life. Following a diagnosis, people have so much to sort and deal with, and a big part of that is their finances.
“Going through treatment people can feel the cold a lot more and need the heating on all day, that cost mounts up.
“That’s where the Macmillan grant can really help and take some of that financial stress away – it can be a lifeline to a lot of people.
“Most aren’t aware of what help they’re entitled to. The grant is a one-off payment of £350 that helps with the extra costs a cancer diagnosis can bring.
“People who have worked their whole lives and never needed to ask for help before have no idea where to turn.”
