Media release 17 May 2021: Cancer patients across Hay who rely on their cars to travel to and from treatment will benefit from crucial new funding that Can Assist Hay has received from greenslips.com.au.The partnership between greenslips.com.au and Can Assist, a community-based volunteer network that provides financial and practical support to people affected by cancer and living in country NSW, was forged in 2019, with funding provided to help pay for cancer patients’ green slip insurance. To date, greenslips.com.au has supported 26 Can Assist branches across NSW and is committed to supporting more.
Can Assist Hay provides practical and financial support confidentially to cancer patients to cover travel expenses, fuel, accommodation, medical expenses such as PET scans, radiotherapy out-of-pockets and pharmaceuticals. Each year they support around 45 cancer patients.
“Having the funds from greenslips.com.au to pay for CTP green slips is wonderful,” says Marg Booth, Can Assist Hay President/Treasurer. “I’ve had some people say to me, ‘It’s fantastic we don’t have to think about it’. It’s peace of mind. A lot of them are struggling and it means they don’t have to go and find that $500 or the out-of-pocket costs.”
Having a car in Hay is crucial, adds Marg. “People have to travel to treatment, everything has to be done out of town – and that could mean travelling 160km to Griffith for chemo, or 270km to Wagga for radiotherapy. Some even have treatment in Albury, which is around 300km away. It’s a long way,” she says. “In addition, independence is more profound when you’re going through a health crisis. When you lose independence, it doesn’t help your mental health. We need to keep them mobile or they become too isolated.”
Greater awareness and support needed
Can Assist Hay covers the entire Hay Shire, encompassing the Hay township, Maude, Oxley and Booligal. They have even helped people in Ivanhoe, 300km away, and Gunbar, both of which are outside the shire but whose residents provide donations. The charity is funded entirely by local donations, local fundraising events, and corporate support such as greenslips.com.au.
All money raised locally stays local to help local cancer patients across the district. “We support approximately 45 local cancer patients each year, all thanks to our very generous community,” adds Marg.
However, because of the pandemic, fundraising in the shire has taken a hit, says Marg. “One of our main fundraisers is catering at wakes, funerals and events – but since March last year, we’ve only done two funerals, whereas we used to do around 12 to 15”.
In addition to more donations, Can Assist Hay also needs more volunteers. “We need to encourage some younger people to come on board. Just put your hand up! You might only be called upon once a year, but the support is still much needed and appreciated,” says Marg.
Sandra Stevens, Community Liaison Officer, explains: “Can Assist is here to help anyone that has cancer. People do it tough so paying for their green slip will help enormously. It’s lovely to be offering another form of support.”
Stephen Treacey, founder and owner of greenslips.com.au, a comparative CTP insurance site, says: “Paying for something like a green slip is a huge weight off people’s shoulders at a time when they have a lot of financial and personal stress. In our work with Can Assist, we have learnt how vital it is to have a car in rural and regional NSW – particularly for those who need to get to and from treatment. We certainly recognise the benefits of keeping local cancer patients’ cars on the road when they need them most.”
For information about donating to or volunteering with Can Assist Hay, contact 0487 795 330. For more information on how to support Can Assist, visit www.canassist.org.au.
More about greenslips.com.au and Can Assist.
Can Assist aims
Can Assist aims to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live in NSW, have access to cancer treatment and care. It provides accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas. This 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 26 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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