LOCAL MP LEADS COMMONS DEBATE ON STEM CELL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS AND THE COST OF LIVING

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami is preparing to hold an adjournment debate in the Commons this evening to highlight the impact of the cost of living crisis on stem cell transplant patients.

Stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative treatment and often a last chance of survival for people battling with blood cancers and blood disorders. Despite its life-saving potential, this treatment is highly intensive and accompanied by severe and long-lasting side effects. 

Patients undergoing stem cell transplantation endure the dual burden of weakened immune systems and extreme vulnerability. To mitigate the risk of life-threatening infections, patients are advised to maintain constant warmth and adhere to a specialized diet. These precautions are essential but further exacerbate the already significant emotional and physical toll of the disease with added financial costs. 

Patients also face high travel costs as they are required to attend frequent hospital appointments post-transplant with many travelling long distances to access specialized treatment centers and having to avoid public transport to avoid risk of infection. 

Typically, patients and their carers are forced to reduce their working hours or even give up work while in treatment and recovery, which can last many months and even years. This often leads to a drastic reduction in household income, with 40% of households earning less than £20,000 per year after treatment - significantly lower than the national average of over £32,000, according to the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. 

Rising inflation, as part of the ongoing cost of living crisis, further aggravates the situation. Stem cell transplant patients find themselves grappling with soaring expenses for heating their homes, purchasing food, and covering travel costs to and from the hospital.  

Mr Tami, who is also Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies, plans to highlight the specific impact on stem cell transplant patients and will call on the Government to take a number of immediate steps.  

The debate in the House of Commons will begin just before the end of the day’s sitting and is expected to last for half an hour.  

In a statement before the debate, Mr Tami said: “While there are charities doing incredible work supporting patients through this crisis, they should not be left to fill the gaps created by poor government policy. Ultimately, stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients have one chance of recovery. I look forward to calling on the UK Government to provide extra support now to see patients through the cost of living crisis and enable them to realise that chance.” 

Pictured - Alyn & Deeside MP Mark Tami.