Hampshire charity calls for financial support for child cancer patients from diagnosis
Research shows over six million cancer cases could be diagnosed between now and 2040
Last updated 27th Aug 2025
A Hampshire charity is calling for financial support for families of children with cancer to be available from diagnosis.
It comes as new research from One Cancer Voice finds more than six million new cases of cancer could be diagnosed between now and 2040.
Hampshire charity, Abby's Heroes, say families of cancer patients are currently having to wait between seven and eight months to access the Disability Living Allowance for children, DLA.
Sally Randall, CEO and founder of Abby's Heroes, said: "The wheels have already spectacularly fallen off most families because jobs have been given up and families very quickly find themselves on the breadline.
"You're not furloughed when you have a child diagnosed, you're literally left on your own to try and survive, and it has a huge impact on families.
"You can't tell your bank that you can't afford to pay your mortgage for the next seven months, but don't worry, I might be able to afford it in seven months when I get my DLA.
"Or, I can't feed my children until, you know, it's just crazy.
"It's disgusting, really.
"It's embarrassing that as a nation we are not recognising that families need support when their child's poorly."
The DLA payment is a UK government benefit for children under 16 who have a disability, long-term health condition or illness that means they need more care or help with mobility than other children their age.
Abby's Heroes supports families of children with cancer with a range of practical measures and programmes.
They rely on fundraisers and people supporting the charity.
Ms Randall told us more about how the increase will affect charities.
She said: "It always falls to charities to mop up and fill the gaps.
"There will be a huge financial burden if families are giving up jobs and can't pay for their way.
"We're talking to proud parents who normally fund their lives and they don't live exotic lifestyles, they just live normal lives.
"But they need both wages coming in, and if one's not coming in, it can have a dramatic impact."