Fuel crisis increases pressure on families in our care
Child Cancer Foundation is calling on decision makers to guarantee support for children with cancer and their families affected by rising travel costs.
New Zealand children with cancer could face dangerous delays to lifesaving treatment as soaring petrol prices and airfares threaten families’ ability to travel for urgent ongoing care, Child Cancer Foundation warns.
The Foundation has written to the Minister of Health today calling for immediate contingency planning to ensure children with cancer are prioritised for transport if fuel shortages worsen or flights are disrupted amid the escalating Middle East war.
Child Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Monica Briggs says the situation is becoming increasingly urgent for families who must travel long distances to access specialist treatment.
“New Zealand’s childhood cancer care operates on a national two-centre model, meaning many families have no choice but to travel between regions for treatment,” says Ms Briggs.
“As petrol prices surge and airfares climb, families already under enormous emotional stress are being hit with costs they simply cannot avoid – and many cannot afford.”
Childhood cancer treatment is frequently time-critical. Families need to travel for diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or serious complications, sometimes with only hours’ notice.
Ms Briggs says any disruption to transport could have severe consequences.
“Timely access to treatment can be the difference between good or poor outcomes,” she says. “If fuel availability tightens or flights become limited, children with cancer must be explicitly prioritised. Delays can directly impact survivability and long-term health outcomes.”
In her letter to the Minister, Ms Briggs warns that families are already facing lost income, increased food and utility costs, and major disruption to everyday life – pressures now compounded by rising travel expenses.
The Foundation’s financial support to families has increased by 44 percent over the past year, even before the latest spike in fuel prices.
“We are deeply concerned about what happens next,” says Ms Briggs. “No family should be forced to worry about how they will physically get their child to lifesaving treatment and we are concerned the Government’s package of support linked to Working for Families will see many families in need being left out of increased support payments.”
Child Cancer Foundation provides travel assistance, energy support payments, food parcels and practical help to families nationwide, but Ms Briggs says the scale of the crisis requires a coordinated national response.
The organisation is urging government agencies to consider measures such as:
- Priority access to domestic flights for childhood cancer patients
- Guaranteed fuel access for essential medical travel if shortages occur
- Flexible financial assistance to offset unavoidable travel costs
- Explicit inclusion of childhood cancer treatment access in national emergency planning
“We cannot allow a global crisis to create barriers to care for our most vulnerable children,” Ms Briggs says.
“Our message to decision-makers is simple: every child with cancer must be able to reach treatment, every time, without delay.”
The Foundation has requested a meeting with government officials to discuss practical solutions and ensure continuity of care for affected families across Aotearoa.