Can Assist opens 56th national branch in Tweed Heads

A volunteer run cancer support network has opened in Tweed Heads. Read how they’re helping the local community.

L-R: Sue Beck, Sue Rees, Sandy Rogers, Meredith Dennis, Sarah Sullivan, Robyn Mills, Daniel Ashton, Tomasina Darling, Anne Cunningham, Emma Phillips and Jodi Fillingame.

Tweed cancer patients will be the beneficiaries of a new grassroots support network – Can Assist Tweed.

The grassroots charity is spearheaded by its vice-president Sandy Rogers, who previously established the local volunteer run Kids in Need Association in 1982.

“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,” Ms Rogers said.

The charity took two-and-a-half years to move forward after being delayed by Covid and last year’s flooding.

“My intention was to honour my three precious sisters, who went through the cancer journey,” Ms Rogers said.

“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.”

Can Assist has been helping people in rural and regional NSW access cancer treatment and care since 1955.

The community-based, volunteer run network provides practical and financial support to cancer patients via fuel and food vouchers, and helps with things like paying for utility bills, accommodation, medication and vehicle expenses.

Daniel Ashton, Can Assist Tweed’s president, said the network aims to take some of the stress away from a patient.

“All the little things that you don’t realise are part of the cancer journey,” Mr Ashton said.

Can Assist Tweed can help patients who must travel for treatment.

“Some people can travel up to 300km to get to treatment, and depending on the type of treatment, some patients have to travel to Queensland,” Mr Ashton said.

“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.

“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.”

Can Assist Tweed received funding from Sydney-based business greenslips.com.au, which has partnered with Can Assist since 2019. The donation will help keep patients’ cars on the road.

Stephen Treacey, founder and owner of greenslips.com.au, said working with Can Assist is “humbling”.

“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,” Mr Treacey said.

In the Tweed, inquiries 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 per cent of those living in the Tweed LGA will experience cancer in their lifetime – and then there’s twice as many people supporting the patient,” Mr Ashton said.

“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.”

The community-based grassroots organisation is funded entirely by community fundraising events, donations and corporate sponsorships, and with 56 branches and around 3000 volunteers, it is the largest cancer support network in rural, regional and remote NSW.

To seek assistance from Can Assist Tweed, to donate or to volunteer, contact [e-mail] or call the community liaison line on 0493 574 883.