Last updated 12:30, Friday, 05 December 2008

MP Tim Farron has got a leading charity on board in his fight to bring a cancer treatment unit to the South Lakes.

NEW UNIT: MP Tim Farron REF: 0424492

The Liberal Democrat is campaigning for a £15m radiotherapy and chemotherapy unit at Kendal’s Westmorland General Hospital.

It would save patients in South Cumbria having to travel to Preston or Carlisle for radiotherapy, which is not available at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

Now Macmillan Cancer Support, which pushes for better cancer care, has told Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Mr Farron that it is “very positive” about the proposed treatment centre.

Representatives of the charity also agreed it met basic requirements of the government’s cancer reform strategy.

Macmillan recently conducted a survey which found three-quarters of cancer sufferers experience some form of money problems.

In response to the findings, it has focused on tackling fuel poverty.

And that’s good news for the Furness patients who have to fill their cars with enough petrol to travel to Lancashire or North Cumbria for radiotherapy.

Mr Farron said: “The situation in Westmorland and Lonsdale is ridiculous.

“Patients suffering from cancer have to travel up to two hours to receive treatment.

“This is an expensive and stressful experience leading some people to prematurely stop treatment.

“There are currently two million people in the country with cancer and Macmillan does a remarkable job of delivering care and support to them and their families, I consider it a privilege to support their campaigns.

“Financial hardship is a dreadful position for anybody to be in and can only add to the stress and anxiety experienced by cancer victims and their families.

“Therefore anything that can alleviate this is really welcome.”

Also discussed was the need to keep raising cash for the welfare and advice centre for cancer patients in South Lakeland, which is run jointly by the Citizens Advice Bureau and Macmillan.