The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has experienced a significant public backlash following its decision to abolish its support programme for families affected by cancer. Since partially reversed, with a decision to continue supporting children but not adults with cancer, numerically fewer than 10 per cent of recipients who benefited in 2015 will be eligible for funding now.
A cancer diagnosis has financial implications. Whether it directly affects a family’s main breadwinner or a dependant there may be a need, at least, to partially cut back on work commitments.
This can lead to hardship. And it is often the “squeezed middle” in society who are affected most. Without a medical card and its associated healthcare benefits, or access to a substantial nest egg for those in higher earning categories, the cost of appliances and alterations to housing for those just above medical card eligibility limits can be substantial.
It could be argued that scarce ICS funds would be better spent elsewhere in its portfolio of services and that this type of financial support should be directly available from the State; however such a debate will not offer practical assistance for those facing a cancer diagnosis in 2016.
Cancer sufferers could be forgiven for not seeing a difference between this type of financial support and the many other services offered by the ICS. Whether it is the excellent night nursing service which provided end-of-life care to almost 2,000 people with cancer in 2014 or its high quality counselling services, the society has a substantial track record of practical support for patients and their families.
In 2014, the ICS spent €7.4 million on employee pay and benefits and €3.9 million on fundraising costs. At a little over €1.5 million, the outlay on the financial hardship programme represented less than 6 per cent of its spending. In advance of its annual Daffodil Day fundraising in March and in the interest of donor transparency, the society should reconsider – and restate – its spending priorities. This is an essential first step to regaining public support.