Macmillan bus offers help to cancer sufferers

From left Michael Lockey (Information Specialist), Debbie Smith (Information Specialist), Geoff Greig (Facilities Officer), with the Macmillan Mobile Information Bus.

Macmillan Cancer Support’s mobile service will be in Villiers Street, this Monday, from 10am to 4pm, with cancer information specialists on hand to answer questions and provide information.

Alan Chandler, Macmillan Information and Survivorship Manager for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s really important that people living with cancer are able to access the information and advice they need no matter what stage of their journey they are at. This spring, the new Macmillan Information Centre will open at the University Hospital of North Tees providing this much-needed service to anyone affected by cancer in the area. In partnership with Macmillan an exciting project to establish information requirements across North Tees and Hartlepool locality will be taking place throughout the year.”

This month, the team is highlighting finance. Macmillan research has shown that 83% of people are, on average, £570 a month worse off as a result of a cancer diagnosis. This is often due to being unable to work and having increased costs such as travel to hospital or fuel bills.

Amanda Fry, from Macmillan, says: “It’s really important that people living with cancer are able to access the financial information and support they are entitled to, so they can focus on what’s most important: their health. We’re also here to answer any of your other questions about cancer.”

If you are unable to visit the unit but have questions about cancer, go to www.macmillan.org.uk or call free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).