Hi everyone my name is Duncan and I am finding this really hard write as I have never been comfortable asking people to help me or my family but I feel this is my last port of call for help.

Unfortunately for the 3rd time in 3 years I will have to start another fight against cancer.

I first started the battle in 2022 when a melonoma was removed from my left thigh. In all my years of working I had never asked for help or support from the system and when I did despite everything I got refused any financial help or support. Despite this I kept on going and got back to work several months later.

Moving on to October 2025 I found a lump in my left groin and after several tests it was found there was a melonoma in my left nodes. Meaning that I would have to undergo surgery to remove this.

The surgery took place on the 30th December at Leeds General Infirmary, the operation i was told went well. Unfortunately while in hospital during my recovery, I got a blood clot in my right lung, and during a CT Scan to get the full scale of the clot it was found on that there was cancer on my left lung. Receiving this news while in hospital made my world came crashing down and I struggled both mentally and emotionally to understand this, having no idea how to break even more bad news to my wife, children and grandchildren.

Following further tests and meetings, consultants have now confirmed a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, for which I will be staring combined immunotherapy to help fight.

Anyone who knows me is aware of how much I struggle to ask for help which has been inevitable during this horrendous ordeal. I decided to reach out to the DWP and universal Credit to request some financial support to make sure my family and I were able to survive. Following many phone call and conversations, I was told that despite my dramatic drop in income, due to my wife working part time hours and despite the fact she is also due an invasive surgery in the next few weeks, we were just above the threshold for financial assistance which has shattered our world even more and caused a huge mental strain in an already terrifying time.

I am asking if anyone can spare any amount to help with the costs of travel to appointments, treatment, daily life and maintaining some quality of life while trying to make memories with my children and grandchildren, this would be greatly appreciated and would take a massive weight off my shoulders.

I have reached out to request help from Macmillan Cancer to discuss what me see what financial support my family and I may eventually be entitled to during this horrific time however, this will take time and may not result in anything positive for a while.