At Can Assist, we are proud to have a passionate community of ambassadors who use their voices, platforms, and influence to help raise awareness and funds for cancer patients and their families across NSW. Each ambassador brings their own unique talents and voice to our mission, united by a shared belief that everyone deserves equal health care across NSW.
“Living in the country definitely does make it more difficult when we have medical issues,” she says. “We just don’t have the surgeons, the specialists, or even the staff in general. It’s very hard to get the help you need.”
Aleyce Simmonds, Tamworth, NSW
“Being away when you’re unwell is a whole different kettle of fish. You’re away from your family, you’re in a different bed, a different environment — and you don’t even know when you’ll get back to your normal life. And it’s costing you so much money.”
Aleyce Simmonds Tamworth, NSW
We’re excited to welcome Aleyce Simmonds as our ambassador — a heartfelt country artist using her voice to support regional Australians through cancer.
🎤 About Aleyce
Aleyce Simmonds is an acclaimed Australian country music singer-songwriter, born in Port Macquarie and now living in Tamworth, New South Wales. She first rose to fame after winning the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition in 2004 — a milestone that took her to Nashville to record her debut single, “Mighty, Mighty Love.”
Since then, Aleyce has become one of Australia’s most respected country artists. Her songs reflect the joys, struggles, and spirit of life in the country — striking a deep chord with rural communities.
“I come from a long background of living and working on the land,” says Aleyce. “I feel very connected to the country — it’s my home and my heart.”
🌟 Career Highlights
After a short break to welcome her daughter, Georgia Daisy, Aleyce returned to performing in 2025 — marking her 20-year anniversary as a touring artist. In January 2025, Aleyce released “Things I’ve Learned” — a tender and deeply personal single inspired by motherhood.
“My music is very personal and honest. I had a difficult time to get my daughter. This song is written as a love note to my daughter in case I wasn’t around to tell her things.”
Aleyce knows the challenges of living in the country — especially when it comes to health care.
“Living in the country definitely does make it more difficult when we have medical issues,” she says. “We just don’t have the surgeons, the specialists, or even the staff in general. It’s very hard to get the help you need at the moment.”
Recently, Aleyce had to travel to Newcastle every two weeks for treatment — an experience that gave her a new perspective.
She’s speaking out with Can Assist to help rally regional communities and ensure no one is left to face cancer alone because of where they live.
“Sadly I experienced the burdens of cancer while caring for my mum who lost her fight in 2015. What I know first hand is that being in the country makes access to healthcare support HARD and when adding cancer it becomes even HARDER.”
Melinda Gainsford-Taylor AM
I’m connected to the country because I was very lucky to grow up on a sheep and wheat farm in Narromine. To be completely honest with you, it was a great way to be brought up I was very lucky, I actually joked that from a young age my parents already knew I was very competitive because when I was rounding up the sheep I would try to beat the sheep dog.
It feels right for me to be an ambassador – of Can Assist because I have my own story of my beautiful mum. She was only 26 years old when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. My brother and I were very young at the time but I still remember to this day her spending so much time in Sydney in hospital fighting this cancer . Its hard enough having cancer in your family, it’s just so tough, not only for the person who is dealing with the cancer but also for the family unit around them trying to cope, so for me I feel very honoured to be part of this charity.
Unfortunately my mother had cancer three times in her life, which was obviously incredibly challenging for not only her, but also for us as a family. I remember the second time she repeatedly had to come to Sydney, all that travel, you know, 400kms just to get to treatment. And it was in that moment that I thought, you know, wow, how lucky it was really for David and I, to be living here in Sydney at the time, to be able to look after her, when obviously she was very sick. It made me think of all the other country people that were out there, you know, how do they deal with it when you don’t actually have a support network in Sydney, not to mention accommodation, and the cost that that would entail.
Reflecting on that time when Mum was getting treatment for cancer, I look back at my father and think how challenging it would have been for him as well. Here he is, trying to keep a farm running, keeping sheep alive, doing everything that he needed to do for that all to survive whilst knowing his wife was going through this really difficult battle. Of course he would come to Sydney as much as he could, but I’m sure he would have wanted to be there all the time to support Mum especially when she was so ill after having chemotherapy.
It was lucky that we were there and I’m sure that’s what a lot of country people probably find very challenging, they just want to be there with their loved ones. But in reality, especially financially, that is very difficult, which is also very challenging for that patient the one who’s actually fighting the cancer and going through the treatment. I think that it’s not only financial support that you really need, it’s that emotional support as well.
“I know firsthand how much harder it is for people in the country to get the healthcare they need — especially when it comes to cancer. I’m proud to support Can Assist and be a voice for those who deserve better access, closer to home.”
— Dr Casey Sullivan
Can Assist is proud to welcome Dr Casey Sullivan – a passionate rural GP and advocate – as our new ambassador.
A proud Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman, Dr Sullivan is a General Practitioner who owns and operates My GP Tamworth—the first Indigenous privately-owned and managed GP practice in New South Wales. Her dedication to improving healthcare access in rural and regional communities aligns seamlessly with Can Assist’s mission to ensure equitable cancer care for all, regardless of location.
In 2024, Dr Sullivan was honoured as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, recognising her leadership in healthcare and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. She actively trains international medical graduates and supervises Australian-trained registrars, fostering growth and excellence in the medical community.
For Dr Sullivan, being a GP is a privilege:
“You get to see all the moments from cradle to grave — and meet everyone in the family.”
Practising in country NSW, Dr Sullivan sees access to specialists and treatment as the key to healthcare in the country. She sees firsthand the challenges people face when they must leave their community for cancer treatment. “It’s hard for people when they have to leave their country town — they leave the safety of home, their support networks. They may need to organise babysitters, someone to look after the farm, and find transport and accommodation — all just to get treatment.”
Dr Sullivan believes that supporting cancer patients goes far beyond the medical side.
“It’s not just about the medicine — it’s about understanding what makes it hard for someone to access treatment. That’s why I became an ambassador for Can Assist. I can organise the medicine — but Can Assist helps ensure people can actually get to the care. And they’ve been doing that for 70 years.”
As an ambassador, Dr Sullivan brings her strong voice for regional NSW, advocating for better cancer support services close to home, helping to bridge the gap in healthcare disparities. Her insights, experience and deep community ties aligns with Can Assist’s work and together we will give support for those doing it tough in the country.
We are thrilled to have Dr Sullivan join our team and look forward to the difference she will make for families facing cancer in rural and regional NSW.
Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our grass roots organisation. Each Can Assist branch is initiated, funded and operated by local volunteers who know their community and understand their needs. As a group we provide key financial assistance to thousands of patients across country NSW who are struggling to meet the costs of a cancer diagnosis.
“I’ve worked in cancer support from 1982 and have seen what patients go through. I have seen the need for financial assistance. To give patients some freedom from financial worries while they go through treatment is profound and the positive benefits are exponential.
It feels good to help people and know you are making a difference.” Gen, Can Assist – Bathurst, President and member
