Launching of Dealing with Cancer website & booklet

The website www.dealingwithcancer.co.uk was developed by OIAS to provide help and information on money matters like mortgages, loans and insurance to cancer patients at a time when it is needed most. The website also gives information on government benefits such as statutory sick pay and details of other organisations and charities which can offer help and support.

Omagh Independent Advice Service was one of the 12 winners of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) Innovation fund last year. The Innovation Fund was set up to encourage voluntary and not for profit organisations across the UK think of innovative ways to help people learn to manage their money better.

Michele Loughran, Money Adviser for OIAS states “Illness can strike at any time, the individual’s world stands still, but unfortunately the financial commitments will continue. A change in circumstances, can for many reasons, impact financially on a household. A cancer diagnosis may not only affect the patient, but in many cases will financially affect the partner due to time of work to attend hospital appointments, care for the individual, child care etc.

It is hoped that the booklet will go a small way in easing the pressures of an individual or family in what is a most distressing and uncertain time.”

The booklets and posters will be available in local community organizations, GP surgeries or by calling into the Advice Centre. The website will be available to all from October with the facility to print off the entire booklet if necessary.

Omagh Independent Advice Services would like to take this opportunity to thank all the groups and organizations who contributed in any way to the creation of the booklet.

If you would like more information on the website or booklet please contact Michele Loughran at Omagh on 028 8224 3252 or Abi Jones at the FSA press office on 020 7066 3232.