THE Leukaemia Foundation is casting the spotlight on concerning figures showing the significant financial distress blood cancer patients and their families are currently facing.
Research yesterday showed that more than 8,300 (43%) of the 19,500 patients diagnosed with blood cancer in the past year had experienced out-of-pocket costs totalling hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars.
Adding to the financial hardship is the fact that around 8,200 (42%) of patients had to take over three months off work during treatment, 5,800 (30%) had to leave their jobs entirely, and over 9,700 (50%) have not yet been able to return to work.
CEO Chris Tanti said this combination of out-of-pocket expenses and the inability to work is "creating a perfect storm for financial distress".
As the crisis deepens, The Leukaemia Foundation is reaching out to Australians for help, urging them to get behind this year's World's Greatest Shave - see more HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Feb 24
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