Irish Cancer Society ends financial fund because of high demand

The Irish Cancer Society has said it is closing its financial support programme because it is unable to meet the demand for the service.

The charity has expressed regret over the closure of the programme, which last year gave €1.8 million to cancer patients who were facing financial hardship.

It says demand for financial support has grown considerably since the economic downturn in 2008 and was now too big to manage. “Closing the programme was a difficult choice to make, but against the background of a drop in fundraised income in 2015, we were forced to choose between the free and unique services which we provide to patients, and the fund, demand for which was growing at a rate which could have put our free services at risk.”

The society, which is 90 per cent funded by the public, supports cancer research, provides cancer information and support, and free palliative night nursing services, as well as other services for patients.

It says it will continue to support cancer patients who are struggling financially through the provision of advice and information on Government and voluntary support schemes.

“It is not possible for the Irish Cancer Society alone to alleviate this financial burden which a cancer diagnosis brings.”

The charity says it is taking on an advocacy campaign calling for cancer patients to have immediate access to a medical card on diagnosis; for free hospital parking for patients and their families; and to reduce the drugs payment scheme limit from €144 to €85 per month.