Media release 30 May 2022 This month marks 3 years since NSW’ largest cancer support network Can Assist partnered with greenslips.com.au. Can Assist Forbes is the 39th branch to receive vital funds to help keep local cancer patients’ cars on the road. This donation was very welcome after the pandemic stopped fundraising.
Power of city-country partnership
Can Assist provides practical and financial support to cancer patients in Forbes and surrounding townships, through fuel vouchers, pharmaceuticals, medical expenses, food vouchers, accommodation and now CTP green slips insurance. President John Schrader, himself a cancer survivor, says Can Assist gets requests for green slip payments and that the donation from greenslips.com.au will be well used.
“The only way to get to treatment is by motor vehicle as we don’t have public transport. It is not like living in the city where you can get a train or bus; it’s harder out here in the bush. Most cancer treatment is in Orange, Parkes or further afield, while PET scans must be done in Sydney,” he says.
It’s a view echoed by Maureen Field, Can Assist Forbes Treasurer:
“People rely on their cars to travel to and from treatment,” she says. “The only other option is community transport, but it doesn’t provide the same freedom and flexibility. Using your own car gives you freedom of movement for the many and various medical appointments. We estimate we’ll spend around $11,000 on clients’ travel expenses this year.”
The greenslips.com.au donation comes at a time when Can Assist Forbes is helping an increasing number of cancer patients after a lull during the pandemic.
“The numbers dropped in the early years of COVID but they’re coming thick and fast now,” says Maureen. “We help up to 70 clients, some need a lot of assistance, while others don’t need as much. And we have some clients we’ve been helping for many years.”
That support goes beyond financial help. “We have delivered firewood, moved furniture, helped with patient transport. We are open to whatever assistance the patient needs and wants – but mostly it’s financial assistance,” says John.
Staying local
What sets Can Assist apart from other charities is that all money raised locally stays local to help local cancer patients across the district. The branch is funded entirely by local donations, local fundraising events, and corporate support such as greenslips.com.au, a CTP green slip insurance price comparison and information website who does not sell green slips.
“Every dollar we receive goes to helping local people,” says Maureen. “We don’t cut people off; if they have cancer, we help them. It gets really tough for some people, especially if you’re not working or have large medical costs. Our assistance is more than a great positive financial impact; you can see the relief on people’s faces when they know these bills can be paid for. It gets really tough for some people – and $300-$400 on a green slip is a lot of money, especially if you’re not working or have large medical costs.”
Greater awareness and support needed
John says it’s vital that more people know about Can Assist and the support it provides. “Prior to my cancer treatment I had no awareness of Can Assist, but during my treatment I met other cancer patients and became aware of Can Assists great work,” he says.
He urges local cancer patients to get in touch if they need financial support.
“We are always encouraging people that if they have a cancer diagnosis to please contact us. Due to privacy laws, we need them to come to us. We need everyone to be aware of Can Assist so we can help more people in our community.”
Maureen adds, “We are concerned that more patients need support but aren’t asking for it. We often hear the refrain, ‘There are others worse off than us’ – but it’s important to note that we’re here to help anyone with a cancer diagnosis.”
Can Assist Forbes is also welcoming new members and volunteers to help with the crucial work it does.
For information about donating or volunteering with Can Assist Forbes, contact Maureen on 0408 966 969 or John on 0404 155 247. For further information about how to support Can Assist, visit www.canassist.org.au.
About Can Assist
Since 1955, Can Assist has been helping people living in rural and regional NSW access cancer treatment and care. The community-based grassroots organisation is funded entirely by community fundraising events, donations and corporate sponsorships. With 55 branches and around 3000 volunteers, it is the largest cancer support network in rural, regional and remote NSW.
Can Assist provides financial assistance for accommodation, travel-related costs, pharmaceuticals and other expenses to individuals and families across NSW, who are affected by cancer. Can Assist provides up to $2.5 million in financial aid, and approximately 50% of this aid is for travel and accommodation.
In addition to fundraising activities, member volunteers raise awareness of the organisation. They also collaborate with health professionals to understand how they can ease the burden of cancer. With Can Assist, 100% of funds raised local is spent in that community.
About greenslips.com.au
Established in 2001, greenslips.com.au is a price comparison and information service for CTP green slip insurance. It does not sell CTP green slip insurance but rather is the authority helping people compare green slips.
greenslips.com.au is a partner of Can Assist and since 2019 has supported Can Assist head office and 39 branches across NSW. greenslips.com.au has committed to providing further support.
For further information:
Lisa Llewellyn: 0419 401 362 or lisa@llewcom.com.au
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