A mum forced out of work after she was diagnosed with cancer claims the cost of living crisis left her family feeling like they were begging for help.
Mum-of-one Camilla Wild, 31, was stunned when a blood test just before Christmas revealed she had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and she almost died after developing septic shock during the festive period.
But Camilla and partner, Ian Clark, had used all their savings during maternity leave with one-year-old son, Joshua, and claimed it would be just months before they lost their house in Bristol, reports the Mirror.
In a desperate bid to help, her family set up a GoFundMe to raise a year’s salary because doctors predict it will be 12 months before she has finished treatment.
She said: “The first thing I was worried about when I came round was money. In our household I was the higher salary earner and so I'm just constantly worried about money because we have a mortgage to pay, childcare, rising energy bills and all the other bills associated with having a house and a young family.
“We are two hardworking people. but we are getting to the point where we are worrying this much about trying to keep a roof over our head."
The mum is still in hospital and faces a gruelling treatment schedule including another round of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Camilla is the operations director of her family-run software company, but the small business cannot afford to give her 12 months sick pay.
She explained that, while she and Ian had both taken out life insurance, they did not take out critical illness income cover as they were both young and didn't think they would need it.
The young mum added that, after seeking advice with the Citizens Advice Bureau, she learned that all she is eligible for from the government is Personal Independence Pay (PIP). But the ‘minimal’ benefit which amounts to less than £100 a week can allegedly take up to 10 months before it drops into the family’s bank account.
However, they have been bowled over by the support of complete strangers and their loved ones, who have already raised £22,000 to help them get through the year.
She said: “The fact that people we know and people we don’t have donated generously to help us is what has touched us the most. Even in these hard times when every penny counts, people are digging deep for us.
“There definitely needs to be more financial support there. It shouldn’t be down to just a charity or having to set up a GoFundMe."
The Department for Work and Pensions was approached for comment.
To donate to Camilla’s fund, click here
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