Yasmin Sheikh
Head of policy and public affairs at Anthony Nolan
For many patients with blood cancers or disorders, cell therapies like stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy can be lifesaving. Yet, the treatment journey is often intensive and complex.
Cell therapy patients often spend prolonged periods of time in hospital and require years of follow-up care. This can result in significant physical, emotional and psychological challenges throughout their treatment journey.
In addition to the worries of going through treatment, sadly, many patients have another weight on their shoulders: how they’re going to afford to live.
Significant financial burden of cell therapy treatment
Many families experience a substantial loss of income as patients and carers often reduce their working hours or stop work altogether during treatment and recovery. Research from UK stem cell charity Anthony Nolan found that households can lose an average of £30,000 of income following diagnosis.1
patients shouldn’t have to worry about
whether they can afford to pay their bills
Alongside the loss of income, families often travel long distances to access treatment. Data from three CAR T-cell centres in England showed that more than half (54%) of patients travelled more than 50 km to access treatment, with one in four travelling over 100 km.2
Anthony Nolan offers patient grants of up to £500 to provide crucial relief for patients and their families. Travel costs are consistently the most common reason people apply, making up a third (33%) of all grants provided in the 2024-25 financial year.3
Whilst undergoing potentially lifesaving treatment, patients shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford to pay their bills, nor should they have to rely on charity for support when they are at their most vulnerable.
Limited travel fund for young people with cancer
Earlier this year, the government published the National Cancer Plan and has pledged a £10 million travel fund for young people with cancer. This funding is a significant and welcome step forward, but it is limited to cancer patients under the age of 24.
Cell therapy patients of all ages, and across all disease types, face the same financial pressures. This fund must be extended so that no patient is left struggling to access the treatment they need.
[1] Anthony Nolan (2024) Cost of Living Patient Survey.
[2] Dragoi D, Cusworth S, Oldham L, Sanderson R, Norman J, Chandan JS, et al. CAR T access and outcomes in large B-cell lymphoma according to ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation in the UK. Br J Haematol. 2025;206(4):1178-85. Epub 20250116. doi: 10.1111/bjh.19997. PubMed PMID: 39821591.
[3] Anthony Nolan Patient Services Grant Data (FY2024-25).
