A LEUKAEMIA patient has backed a campaign asking the Government to help people with cancer pay their fuel bills.

Sharon Extance's illness has weakened her immune system, which means she dreads falling ill with a cold because it could put her at risk of pneumonia.

But she is so ill that she is unable to work, so she has to rely on benefits to pay for gas and electricity.

As a result, the 44-year-old, of Chaddesden, puts on her heating only when absolutely necessary.

Sometimes she resorts to going to bed in a woolly hat to keep her head warm, having lost her hair during chemotherapy.

Now she has given her backing to a Macmillan Cancer Support campaign to get the Government to extend its winter fuel payments scheme for the elderly to cancer patients.

The charity also wants cancer patients to be included in the group entitled to lower tariffs from energy companies.

Sharon, of Dayton Close, said she was susceptible to the cold because she lost five stone during her treatment.

She said: "When you have cancer you are told to concentrate on getting better but you still have everyday life to think about. I have to watch every pound that goes into the meter.

"I've struggled to spend £10 a week on gas because all my benefits have been stuck in the process of being sorted out.

"I'm very aware of putting anything electric on, so I tend to eat microwave meals. I'd love a tumble dryer but I can't afford one."

Sharon was already struggling financially when she was diagnosed in May. She had been made redundant from her job as a healthcare assistant at the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary three months earlier.

Just before diagnosis she had started a new job but had to quit because of her illness.

She had to rely on Macmillan to cover a £350 gas bill.

The charity gave £31,930 to 161 people in Derbyshire, helping them pay fuel bills, in the last financial year.

Macmillan director Maureen Rutter said most people being treated for cancer needed to use their heating more but those under-60 do not qualify for help.

She said: "People undergoing cancer treatment spend more time at home as they're often too ill to work.

"Treatment can make them feel the cold more, and then they need the heating on higher and longer, which leads to increased fuel bills, all at a time when their income plummets.

"Struggling with fuel bills is a situation that can very quickly spiral out of control for cancer patients.

"It is simply not fair. They need help from the Government and they need it now."

To support the campaign or to get support, visit www.mac millan.org.uk/fuel poverty or call 0808 808 0000.