“I spent thousands just to get around for my treatment. My parents couldn’t afford to travel to support me, so I paid out of my savings. My savings went down so quickly - you blink and it’s gone.” Abbie was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called MEN1 when she was 16. She had surgery to remove what were thought to be benign tumours, but the doctors told her they were cancerous. “I cried when they told me - it was really shocking. I had no words.” Abbie spent two weeks in Southampton Hospital after her surgery, away from her home in Alderney, a Channel Island near Guernsey. She then had to return to the hospital on the mainland several times post-operation. Each time, her parents needed to pay for flights, travel to get to the hospital and accommodation to stay nearby. For the first trip, Abbie paid hundreds for her mum to stay at a hotel. She was working at a care home and put on sick pay, which was very minimal. Her savings of £2,000 quickly went due to travel costs and other costs while in the hospital. Abbie’s Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Worker Kate told her about Jean’s House, our Home from Home in Southampton, which saved her hundreds in hotel costs for subsequent hospital visits. Kate also helped her to get a grant which went towards some of these costs. “Young Lives vs Cancer provided so much comfort during that time and it helped take a lot of stress off everything. Without the help I would have been in so much debt. It took so much weight off our shoulders.” Young Lives vs Cancer believes that cancer should never come with a price tag. Families like Abbie's should be able to focus on their child’s treatment and wellbeing, not how they’ll afford the additional costs cancer brings. That’s why we’re calling on UK Government to create a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund as part of the Cancer Plan for England. We're currently attending political party conferences around the UK to make sure our message is heard loud and clear. (fb)

Time for a round of applause 👏 ... an incredible £71,965 has been raised so far by our amazing Great North Run 2025 participants! Thank you so much to everyone who took part or cheered Team Young Lives runners on - you're helping to make a huge difference to children and young people facing cancer and their families. We couldn't do it without you! (fb)