Media release 19 April 2023. Cancer patients in the Tweed Shire will benefit from a new grassroots cancer support network – Can Assist Tweed. Sydney-based business greenslips.com.au has helped kickstart the network’s newest and 56th branch with seed funding to help keep local patients’ cars on the road.
greenslips.com.au partnered with Can Assist in 2019. Can Assist has been helping people living in rural and regional NSW to access cancer treatment and care since 1955. The community-based, volunteer-run network provides practical and financial support to cancer patients. This includes fuel and food vouchers, paying for utility bills, accommodation, medication and vehicle expenses like registration and insurances.
“All the little things you don’t realise are part of the cancer journey,” says Daniel Ashton, Can Assist Tweed’s President. “We are here to take some of the stress away from the patient and ensure they feel respected, supported and understood while they go through the cancer journey.”
Car expenses are among the key costs Can Assist Tweed help with, particularly because of the distances patients need to travel to and from treatment. “Some people can travel up to 300 kms to get to treatment, and depending on the type of treatment, some patients have to travel to Queensland,” explains Daniel. “There’s often no public transport and patients have to rely on family members to take them to and from treatment. That means huge out-of-pocket expenses on every trip.”
Daniel says the funds from greenslips.com.au will make a big difference, helping people manage when they need it most.
“Needing a green slip often creeps up on you – but it’s an essential expense; without it, people can’t get where they need to go. Having a car is essential, it enables life to go on. When you’re going through cancer treatment, being connected and feeling self-sufficient can have a remarkable impact. Being able to provide funds to pay for someone’s green slip can be life changing.”
In the Tweed region, enquiries for Can Assist’s support come through social workers, neighbourhood centres, community health centres, and the region’s six major hospitals.
“It’s estimated that 30% of those living in the Tweed LGA will experience cancer in their lifetime – and then there’s twice as many people supporting the patient,” Daniel explains. “Add to that the homelessness that’s endemic in the area, the rental crisis, mortgage stress and last year’s devastating floods, and it all means there’s enormous strain on the community. Already we’ve had requests for assistance, including from homeless people.”
Local expertise, local focus
Can Assist Tweed was spearheaded by Vice President Sandy Rogers. She knows a great deal about setting up local volunteer-run charities, having established the Kids in Need Association in 1982. Sandy also knows firsthand the impact of cancer on families, having been through this with family members.
“It always puzzled me how little support there was, and when a friend mentioned the work that Can Assist does, I contacted head office to investigate the opportunity to open a branch in the Tweed. Unfortunately, it was delayed by COVID and then the floods, so it took two-and-a-half years to move forward,” says Sandy. “My intention was to honour my three precious sisters, who went through the cancer journey. Although there was very little help from other cancer services to support my three sisters, now, through Can Assist Tweed, I can make this community a better place by supporting others.”
What sets Can Assist apart from other charities is that all money raised locally stays in the area to help local cancer patients across the Shire. Branches are funded entirely by local donations, fundraising events, and corporate support such as greenslips.com.au, a CTP green slip insurance price comparison and information website.
“Having worked with Can Assist for four years and supported over 40 branches, I’ve seen the tangible impact the charity and volunteers have on their local community and cancer patients.To help establish the newest branch for the Tweed Shire is humbling,” says Stephen Treacey, founder and owner of greenslips.com.au.
“I know how important it is for a cancer patient in country NSW to have their own vehicle to travel to and from treatment, and we’re proud to support them with the cost of their green slip. Can Assist’s powerhouse of volunteers and unique fundraising model, with all money raised locally staying local, ensures donations reach those who need it most. Can Assist provides both practical and emotional support at a time when people need it.”
More awareness and support needed
Can Assist Tweed has a clear message to the community: they’re after volunteers, donations – and cancer patients who need financial support.
“We’re looking for the community to come on board and support Can Assist in any way they can, so we can meet the requests coming in to support our local cancer patients,” says Sandy. “We’re looking for financial support and we welcome the contribution of individuals and businesses that are in a position to donate. We also welcome more volunteers. We have a wonderfully strong committee and more resources are wanted, especially to get the message out there. We are ready to help and we can support patients financially and emotionally so they can concentrate on healing and attending their numerous appointments with less stress.”
Adds Daniel, “The governance, support and structure of Can Assist is far beyond other charities. Already the response from the community has been amazing. A lot of people are keen to get Can Assist off the ground to fundraise locally and service locally – that’s the wonderful Can Assist model.”
Setting an example
Can Assist Tweed is also keen to “set a great example”. “We would love to service a larger area but we need to set the bar and then hope other LGAs will establish a branch of their own,” says Daniel.
“We are regularly asked ‘how can I help?’, by family and friends who want to support or donate on behalf of a loved one touched by cancer, whether partner, family, friend or co-worker. That’s why we have set-up a give now portal for one-off donations, or donors can arrange weekly/fortnightly/monthly donations, which are tax deductible and provided with receipts.”
To seek assistance from Can Assist Tweed, to donate or to volunteer, contact tweed@canassist.org.au or call the community liaison line on 0493 574 883. Can Assist Tweed is also reaching out to the local community through its new social media platforms to raise awareness and promote the various ways people can join Can Assist Tweed or donate to assist locals on their cancer journey.
“To support Can Assist Tweed you can like, comment and share our new social media posts far and wide,” adds Daniel.
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 to access cancer treatment and care. The community-based grassroots organisation is funded entirely by community fundraising events, donations and corporate sponsorships, and with 56 branches and around 3,000 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. On average, Can Assist provides up to $2.5 million in financial aid, and in 2022 Can Assist provided more than 8,500 assistance claims across NSW with 29% of claims going towards travel to treatment.
In addition to fundraising activities, member volunteers raise awareness of the organisation and 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. Can Assist also funds Lilier Lodge, a purpose-built accommodation facility in Wagga Wagga it co-owns with Cancer Council NSW, which assists over 1400 people each year.
We Can Assist.
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 slip prices and information.
greenslips.com.au is a partner of Can Assist and since 2019 has supported Can Assist head office and Can Assist branches across NSW and commits to providing further support. greenslips.com.au has now contributed to 50 branches, in addition to supporting the head office and raising the brand awareness of Can Assist work throughout NSW.
It is estimated the partnership has helped support over 500 cancer patients and their families by paying for their CTP green slip insurance, ensuring they keep their cars on the road when they need them most.
For further information:
Lisa Llewellyn: 0419 401 362
lisa@llewcom.com.au
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