Young Lives vs Cancer’s #RunningOnEmpty report looks into the impact travel costs have on young people with cancer and their families

Four in five young cancer patients and their families (82%) reported cutting back on things like holidays, leisure, entertainment and social activities, to help meet the costs of travelling to treatment. One respondent said: “Our daughter was so poorly, at one point she was on palliative care, we were like, ‘but how do you say no?’ You’ve got to be sensible because there’s not a never-ending pot of money. But also, when you think there’s a possibility your daughter is dying, you also don’t want to say ‘oh no, we can’t do that’. So that was quite difficult.” 

The survey found that, while less common, there are young people with cancer and families having to cut back on things like food (27%), falling behind on bills (20%) and selling their possessions (20%) as they juggle trying to find the extra money for travel. 

The research found it was common for young people and their families to struggle to see an end to the negative financial impacts, one respondent said: “we’re in financial disaster because of everything and it’s not ending […] everything else we can cope with, all the stuff that comes with the illness, but it’s the financial impact that having a sick child totally strains you.” 

There are healthcare schemes providing travel support in each country in the UK, which primarily target those on lower incomes such as the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme and non-emergency patient transport services. However, Young Lives vs Cancer’s research found that just three in 10 young cancer patients and their families (30%) were able to access any support and only 12% said it actually covered the costs for them.  

Young Lives vs Cancer’s specialist social workers support young people and families with the financial impact of cancer by helping to access benefits and providing one-off financial grants. However, this support can only cover so much of the costs and many young people and families need ongoing support. This is why Young Lives vs Cancer is calling on the government for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund, to provide better financial support to young people with cancer and their families. 

Helen Gravestock, Director of Policy, Influencing and Voice says: “Our new #RunningOnEmpty report demonstrates the vital need for better financial support for young people with cancer and families having to travel for treatment and cancer care. 

“The last thing they or their families should be worrying about is whether they can afford to travel to hospital for their treatment. This is why we are asking for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund to provide better financial support and help young people and families focus on what matters, getting through treatment.” 

Young Lives vs Cancer will be presenting the #RunningOnEmpty report to MPs from across the UK at an event in Parliament on Tuesday 13 June. Young people and parents/carers will be sharing their experiences of the impact of travel costs. Three Young Lives vs Cancer social workers will also be attending to share how they have supported young people and families facing these costs. The charity hopes the event will encourage MPs to take their ask of a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund through Parliament, so that the government will take action.