Alex was diagnosed completely “out of the blue” with an aggressive

“Alongside the money, just knowing that people I’ve never met were willing to help me, a complete stranger, was a huge boost emotionally when things felt very dire.” Alex Deeprose, 40, Poole.

Alex was diagnosed completely “out of the blue” with an aggressive form of renal cell cancer in January 2023.

One of his kidneys was removed and when lung metastasis was also discovered, Alex, who is a fraud investigator for an insurance company, entered into immunotherapy treatment which is still ongoing.

He said: “I was unable to work for five months, and it sounds strange, but because I had a treatment plan, paying the mortgage became more of worry than my potentially fatal cancer.”

His cancer support nurse suggested he apply for financial help from the DCCF.

“I was quite overwhelmed when I heard that the DCCF had awarded me some money. I really hadn’t expected it and the help it gave my wife and I to pay our mortgage was a huge weight off our shoulders.

“Alongside the money, just knowing that people I’ve never met were willing to help me, a complete stranger, was a huge boost emotionally when things felt very dire.”

Alex is now working from home and is responding well to treatment.

He said: “I would urge anyone with cancer who is struggling financially to contact the DCCF. It really is wonderful to know this charity is there to help people when they need it most.”