Family shares hidden cost of cancer care
Summary
A family in Kent is facing financial difficulties while caring for their 13-year-old daughter, Maya, who has neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Maya’s illness and disability have caused the parents to work less or stop working, leading to worries about paying bills and keeping their home.Key Facts
- Maya was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at age 3 and relapsed in 2023 after five years in remission.
- Neuroblastoma mainly affects children under five, with about 100 new UK cases yearly.
- Maya developed a brain injury during a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy in 2025, causing severe disability.
- Maya’s father left his job to care for her full-time, and her mother reduced work hours.
- The family struggles to afford mortgage and bills on a reduced income.
- Charity Young Lives vs Cancer reports families with sick children face around £700 extra costs monthly and lose about £6,000 in income yearly.
- Financial support like disability benefits and carer's allowance exists but can take time to receive.
- The family continues to focus on caring for Maya while managing financial stress.
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