Crest are pleased to announce that they have recently joined the Cancer Council Pro Bono program. Through the program, people in the local area affected by cancer who cannot afford financial advice are matched with a Crest adviser, who donates their time and financial expertise at no cost.
Cancer can be financially devastating to a family and those diagnosed with cancer often face complex financial issues while battling their illness. In a report prepared for the Cancer Council, the average cost of a cancer diagnosis was estimated to be almost $50,000. Loss of wages and other mounting costs such as treatment, childcare and accommodation leave many patients in desperate need of immediate funds. Research has also revealed significant gaps in access to financial planning services due to cost, stress and sickness. This has placed many patients at risk of losing homes, accumulating significant debt and falling behind on expenses.
A battle with cancer often presents complex financial issues, and with the help of a Crest adviser, solving these issues can be life-changing. Crest financial advisers work with cancer patients and their families by helping them to, among other things:
Access available Centrelink benefits
Access their superannuation if possible
Arrange payment of potential insurance benefits
Develop a budget and ensure regular family cash flow
Plan for the financial future of their family.
A diagnosis of cancer can be extremely traumatic and most patients are primarily concerned with getting through their treatment. But bills do add up and quite often patients have to work through important financial issues to make sure they and their family are properly protected during these difficult times
The team at Crest Financial Services are able to offer their services for free to reduce the stress and financial difficulties which can mount for many patients, especially when they lose income from lost work during treatment.
The Cancer Council Pro Bono program is one way families in the local area affected by cancer can restore some peace to their lives during difficult times.