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Julian Fiano, who is 34 years old, was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer six years ago.

He鈥檚 not able to work and he鈥檚 been receiving Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance.

Speaking to 5 Live鈥檚 Tony Livesey, he said 鈥渨e鈥檝e had to sacrifice hospital appointments for the cost of petrol or having a decent weeks鈥� meal鈥�.

He and his fianc茅 Lucy are worried that they won鈥檛 be able to afford their bills and food because of the rising cost of living.

鈥淥ur weekly shop has doubled in what we used to get. Life in the sense of affordability is really tough to be honest.

鈥淚鈥檝e got the heating on pretty much every day because I feel the cold a bit more. I can鈥檛 risk getting ill whilst on chemo, your body is prone to catching cold and flus,鈥� he says.

He was speaking after Macmillan and Young Lives vs Cancer say there鈥檚 been a dramatic rise in the number of people under 40 asking for emergency grants 鈥� to help them pay for food, rent and energy.

Julian says that 鈥渓iving day by day is the main thing鈥�.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 plan too far ahead otherwise I start to be very anxious about everything.

鈥淚nstead of trying to look after my health, I鈥檝e also got to try to worry about what I鈥檓 going to eat and what I can afford next month. I鈥檒l probably end up in debt this winter,鈥� he adds.

Julian says that his fianc茅 Lucy is keeping him 鈥減ositive and mentally strong鈥�.

鈥淚鈥檝e outlived my prognoses, so I know there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

鈥淚 just hope this winter there is that light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to paying our bills and avoiding debt,鈥� he says.

This clip is originally from 5 Live Drive from Tuesday 4th October 2022.

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