• WE FUNDRAISE TO

    directly assist commmunities

    Cancer Assistance

  • WE ADVOCATE FOR

    better regional care and support

    Can Assist Orange Ian Coleman

  • WE PERSONALISE SUPPORT

    for people of any age with any cancer

    Can Assist Patient

  • We support equity

    in access to cancer treatment

    Can Assist supports equitable health access

ASSISTANCE – What We Do

We are here for every cancer patient – any age, any cancer, in rural, regional and remote NSW. Cancer can place an unexpected financial burden on families with increased associated expenses such as travel, accommodation and medical costs.

Our local branches will provide financial assistance and practical support during your treatment and care. They will work with you or collaborate with your health professional to understand how they can assist you. You are not alone in your cancer journey. We Can Assist.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LILIER LODGE COMMUNITY & AWARENESS USEFUL RESOURCES

“No one needs to travel on their cancer journey alone, we are here to help.” Wendy Jackson, President of Gyra Branch

Financial Assistance

We provide bespoke, confidential, community-based assistance

Your local Can Assist branch will tailor financial assistance to meet your individual needs. Can Assist provides financial aid with no means testing, in a variety of ways, including:

  • Accommodation expenses
  • Accommodation at Lilier Lodge
  • Medical expenses such as pharmaceutical costs
  • Travel expenses
  • Eligible household expenses for example utility bills, rates or groceries

All our assistance is strictly confidential.

FIND YOUR BRANCH

HOW TO APPLY

for financial assistance

Takes these steps to apply for financial assistance  through Can Assist:

  • Complete the request form online or use the PDF download version.
  • Attach a letter from your health care professional (i.e. local doctor, oncology social worker or oncology nurse).
  • Attach a copy of the unpaid bill (or a note requesting food or petrol vouchers).
  • Send the request for financial assistance and your supporting documents to your local branch (view branch map). Not sure of your branch, please select Sydney (Head Office) and we will forward it to the correct branch.

Please note completion of the request form does not automatically guarantee financial assistance.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUEST FORM
  • Lilier Lodge
  • Lilier Lodge Reception
  • Lilier Lodge
  • Lilier Lodge

ACCOMMODATION

at Lilier Lodge

“A home away from home during the toughest of times for families. Wagga is blessed to have such a special place.” Mr R, Temora

Accommodation provided at

LILIER LODGE

Our purpose built accommodation centre is located in Wagga Wagga, NSW.  A joint venture with CCNSW, the lodge is managed by Can Assist.

Lilier Lodge provides a warm and supportive home away from home for cancer patients who travel long distances for treatment at nearby facilities. Each of our twenty-one rooms has accommodation for two guests and the Lodge includes a kitchen, lounge area and gardens. Our guests are welcome to have family and friends visit during their stay. Lilier Lodge also provides a drop-in service for patients who travel daily for their treatment. When vacancies allow, we also welcome people visiting Wagga for other medical appointments.

GO TO LILIER LODGE
Can Assist members

We support the fight against cancer through community and awareness

COMMUNITY & AWARENESS

Our Can Assist branches raise awareness of cancer in regional areas through information sessions, community campaigns and fundraising events. We engage with businesses and government, and work hand in hand with NSW Health social workers. We provide emotional support to patients and their families.

We are your voice in regional areas, advocating for better support and care.

“Can Assist is an incredibly valuable resource for us and an integral part of what we do.”
Ms T, Allied Health Professional Armidale

CAN ASSIST ADVOCACY
Can Assist
Brian lives in a picturesque small town in the NSW Riverina.

Brian experienced some unusual symptoms and finally made a doctor’s appointment. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, he was immediately flown to Sydney for treatment. Time off work, medical gaps, multiple trips to Sydney for surgery, chemo and radiotherapy were all unavoidable costs in his access to care. “The financial assistance we received from Can Assist meant we didn’t need to sell our home to cover medical costs,” said Brian.

[Brian* name changed, recipient from Cootamundra]

USEFUL RESOURCES

Below is a list of resources that may be of assistance to you, in addition to the guidance and information that your health care professional or social worker gives you.

  • Accommodation Services

    • Accommodation listing for Sydney and regional NSW
      This is not an exhaustive list and you will need to check that information is still current.
    • Medistays
      Medistays provides a booking service of discounted accommodation close to major hospitals. It is a free service and there are no eligibility criteria to access services.
    • Cancer Council NSW Accommodation Services
      Cancer Council New South Wales       has partnered with AccorHotels to provide discounted room rates in Sydney, Newcastle and other regional centres. The Service is run in conjunction with IPTAAS.
    • Ronald McDonald Houses
      Ronald McDonald Houses are located within footsteps of major women’s and children’s hospitals. They provide a homely and inviting place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.
    • Lilier Lodge
      Located in Wagga Wagga, Lilier Lodge provides relaxing and homely accommodation for people undergoing cancer treatment at nearby facilities. They understand the specific needs of cancer patients and their carers.
    • St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney Accommodation – Patients & Carers
    • St Vincent’s Patients and Carers accommodation is conveniently located at the back of the hospital and is affordable and comfortable accommodation for country patients, $30 per night, per person, who are needing to attend St Vincent’s Clinic, St Vincent’s Public and Private Hospitals and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre and is subject to availability. If accommodation is not available, the Accommodation Manager can provide contact numbers for alternate arrangements near the hospital.For patients living more than 100km away, they are eligible to claim their accommodation and a portion of their travel back via Iptaas. These forms are available from the accommodation office. For long term bookings Iptaas bulk billing is available. Email or call 02 8382 2114

  • Travel Assistance

    • IPTAAS
      The Isolated Patients Travel & Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)       is a NSW government initiative that assists families in covering some of the costs of visits to specialist medical treatment when they live in isolated and remote parts of NSW.
    • Country Care Link
      This transport program aims to help bridge the gap in access to healthcare for those who live in regional NSW by providing a transport service across Sydney. They help patients access the care they need without the added stress and hassle of travelling in the city.  Patients can be collected from the airport or train station and driven to your appointment.
    • Transport NSW
      Travelling by public transport?       The Transport NSW website has an easy to use trip planner for you to get to your treatment and accommodation.
    • Patient Transport Service
      If you need transport to or from a health facility such as a hospital or rehabilitation unit, you may be able to access the Patient Transport Service. This service is offered to patients who don’t require emergency ambulance services and is provided by NSW Health.
    • Royal Flying Doctor Service Patient Transport Services
      The RFDS provides transport needs across metropolitan and regional locations.
    • Little Wings
      Little Wings is a non-profit organisation that provides free, professional and safe flight and ground transport services for sick children in rural and regional NSW.  The Little Wings service is provided at the behest of the Children’s Hospitals in NSW. Children are referred to the Little Wings service by hospital staff with consideration of the child’s medical condition, geographical location and regularity of travel.
    • Angel Flight Australia
      Angel Flight Australia is a charity which coordinates non-emergency flights to assist country people to access specialist medical treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of vast distance and high travel costs.
    • Cancer Council
      Helping people affected by cancer get to vital cancer treatment.
    • Leukaemia Foundation
      This service puts people with blood cancer on the road to recovery by helping them get to medical appointments.

  • Financial Assistance and Support

    • Moneysmart
      Government advice       on managing money during illness.
    • Wesley Mission
      Wesley Mission’s Credit Line       offers confidential counselling for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community who face financial crisis. They offer assistance and self-help towards achieving financial independence. They are not a lending institution.
    • Good Shepherd Microfinance
      Find a no or low-interest loan.       The No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS®) is designed for people on welfare benefits who need safe, fair and affordable access to credit.
    • The Salvation Army
      The Salvation Army       has a range of services that include aged care, children’s and community services as well as financial assistance.

  • Other Cancer Support Organisations

    • Cancer Council Australia
      Cancer Council       provides support for patients, families and friends.
    • CanTeen
      CanTeen       helps young people cope with cancer in their family.
    • Leukaemia Foundation
      Leukaemia Foundation       provides personal and practical support for those with blood cancer.
    • McGrath Foundation
      Supports individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer.
    • Our Mob and Cancer
      Our Mob and Cancer, developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
    • Rare Cancers Australia
      Provides information, resources, and a support network if you have been diagnosed with a rare cancer.
    • Redkite
      Redkite       supports children, teenagers and young adults with cancer (up to the age of 24) and their families with financial & emotional support as well as educational assistance.

  • Government Support

    • Centrelink
      Every Australian is entitled by law to a range of potential benefits and payments. Having cancer can make you eligible for more benefits.
    • Medicare
      Help for people in severe financial hardship.
    • Canrefer
      Find cancer specialists and hospitals across NSW and ACT.
    • Cancer Australia
      Cancer Australia was established to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers.
    • Cancer Institute NSW
      NSW Government Cancer Control Agency, established to lessen the impact of cancer across the state.