Media release: 11 October 2021
Cancer patients across the Goulburn District who rely on their cars to travel to and from treatment will benefit from crucial funding cancer assistance network Can Assist Goulburn has received from greenslips.com.au.
Local cancer patients benefit: all money raised locally stays local
Established in 2010, Can Assist Goulburn provides practical and financial support to cancer patients in Goulburn and surrounding townships, through fuel vouchers, car maintenance, insurances like greenslips, pharmaceuticals and utilities payments. Over the past financial year, Can Assist Goulburn has helped 120 cancer patients, providing $45,000 worth of support.
Branch President Ian McMurdo, a founding member of Can Assist Goulburn, knows firsthand the support that Can Assist provides. A cancer survivor, Ian had to travel to and from Sydney for treatment and regularly needed accommodation.
“The social worker at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital connected me to Can Assist when I was going through treatment and needed assistance. Once I got back on my feet, Can Assist helped me set up the branch in Goulburn,” he says.
A wonderful thing
Ian calls the donation from greenslips.com.au “a wonderful thing”. “It will help keep people’s cars on the roads so they can travel to and from treatments. We’re very pleased to receive it,” he says.
“We mainly cover travel; it’s a big part of what we do, because living in Goulburn means you have to travel to Canberra or Sydney for treatment. That can mean a trip of up to 200km, and you might need to do 20-30 of those trips. If people can travel in their own car, they feel more independent and in control of the situation.”
Ruth Dogett, Can Assist Goulburn’s Community Liaison Officer, adds:
“When you’re in your own car you feel safe and secure, it’s like your home. Also, because of COVID restrictions, community transport is limited, so it’s even more important to have your own vehicle to access treatment.”
Pandemic takes a toll
Can Assist Goulburn, run entirely by local volunteers, knows there are many more cancer patients in the community who need help – and they’re keen to support them, especially with the funds from www.greenslips.com.au to help pay for patients’ CTP green slip insurance.
“We provide financial support towards costs that have arisen since they got cancer, expenses forced upon them. The assistance we give local cancer patients is practical but it also helps them emotionally; it gives them a feeling that they’re not alone, they have help,” says Ian. “A positive outlook is important when fighting cancer.”
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 and fundraising events, and corporate support such as greenslips.com.au.
“A lot of people think Can Assist is associated with Cancer Council. But we’re not. We are independent and all the money we raise is used to help local people,” explains Ruth.
Fundraising takes major hit
Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, fundraising by Can Assist Goulburn has taken a major hit.
“It’s been harder to fundraise due to the pandemic,” says Ian. “Funds have dwindled, as all events have been cancelled. We’re going backwards. Support from companies like greenslips.com.au is vital and makes a huge difference to us. More support is greatly needed and we welcome donations from individuals and businesses both in the region and across the state. Cancer doesn’t stop just because it’s a pandemic; cancer marches on, unfortunately.”
Ruth says the branch is down around $50,000 because of COVID-19’s impact on fundraising.
“We had to streamline our funds to focus mostly on medical, chemo medicine and scans expenses. However, the biggest cost is fuel, as patients have to travel to Canberra and Sydney. On average, it’s $30 a day in fuel costs, which means it’s $900 for a radiation round. That’s huge.”
Major impact on patients’ lives
Stephen Treacey, founder and owner of greenslips.com.au, a CTP green slip insurance price comparison and information website, says the work of Can Assist Goulburn demonstrates the power of practical assistance where and when it is needed most.
“I’m inspired by the work that Can Assist does and their unique fundraising model where all money raised locally stays locals,” he says. “We are proud to help Can Assist support rural and regional cancer patients with their CTP green slip insurance. We’re also working with Can Assist to help raise awareness about this grass roots organisation which is having such a tangible impact on the health and wellbeing of cancer patients in country NSW” .
Since 2019, greenslips.com.au has contributed to 30 branches across NSW, in addition to Can Assist’s head office. It’s estimated the partnership has helped support over 300 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. Greenslips.com.au hope to ease their cancer journey in more ways than one.
For information about donating or volunteering with Can Assist Goulburn and District, contact 0427 926 722. For further information about how to support Can Assist, visit www.canassist.org.au.
About Can Assist
Can Assist aims to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live in NSW, have access to cancer treatment and care. By providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas, it ensures country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres.
Can Assist facts
- Established in 1955, Can Assist provides practical and financial support to people affected by cancer and living in country NSW. It is funded entirely by local donations and corporate sponsorships.
- In 2019, Can Assist responded to over 7,700 requests for assistance from rural and regional cancer patients through 55 branches across NSW.
- Can Assist is a grass roots, community-based volunteer network. It is local volunteers supporting local families affected by cancer.
- All the money raised locally stays local.
- greenslips.com.au, a price comparison and information service for CTP green slip insurance, is a partner of Can Assist. It does not sell CTP green slip insurance.
- Since 2019, greenslips.com.au has supported Can Assist head office and 28 branches across NSW and commits to providing further support.
For further information:
Lisa Llewellyn
0419 401 362
lisa@llewcom.com.au
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