Jon’s Story

After experiencing symptoms that resembled low blood sugar, Jon from Cootamundra suffered a seizure and was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Over the course of the next 18 months, Jon endured 2 separate surgeries (both in Sydney which is around 800km return), 2 separate bouts of radiotherapy (one in Sydney and one in Wagga Wagga), and a course of chemotherapy. Jon and Dani traveled more than 8,000km in trips back and forth to Sydney and many hundreds more back and forth to Wagga Wagga. In addition, they were required to fund around 10 weeks of accommodation in Sydney.

Not only did Jon stop working, but so too did his wife Dani, who has been his carer. The financial impacts were devastating. With no income coming in, bills quickly added up. It was then they met Colleen – the treasurer of the local Can Assist Cootamundra branch. The family had never heard of IPTAAS (the NSW government-funded travel and accommodation subsidy scheme), had not collected any of the appropriate signatures nor had they retained any receipts. Whilst Can Assist helped them to lodge the government claim, there were many excess bills left over to pay. Can Assist provided multiple petrol vouchers, paid for their accommodation in Sydney, and contributed toward multiple out-of-pocket medical expenses; both for treatments and pharmaceuticals.

Being an ex-pat from California, Jon says – “In the States, being self-employed, this tumor could have been a death sentence” and further that “If it were not for Can Assist, we would have needed to sell our house to afford treatment…. we can’t thank Can Assist enough”

Leonie’s Story

At 58yrs of age, Leonie – mother of two and retired primary school teacher from Leeton, was diagnosed with melanoma. She had mistaken a mark on her face for a minor irritation, and with it taking 3-4 weeks to get an appointment with the local GP, Leonie let it slide. One day, feeling so unwell, she took herself to the local hospital on a completely unrelated matter and it was there that the medical staff noticed the mark and booked her in for a biopsy the next day.

After diagnosis, Leonie was initially referred to a skin specialist in Griffith (120km return), who advised her that she would need surgery in Melbourne and, that she would need to find her own accommodation since surgery would be performed on an outpatient basis. She would have to book a hotel within walking distance of the clinic, and she need a carer 24/7. Her surgery to remove the cancer along with a required plastic surgeon would be done in a private clinic which would cost Leonie some $4,000. With only $2,000 in savings, Leonie burst into tears.

Before surgery, Leonie was required to undergo 6 weeks of chemotherapy treatment at home in Leeton and it was over this time that she heard about Can Assist Leeton. She met Mary – the local Can Assist President who assured her of their financial support and “most importantly, listened,” said Leonie.

Leonie made two separate trips to Melbourne (some 1,000km return) and spent some 8 nights in commercial accommodation.  Can Assist paid the bill.

Back in Leeton, she would make multiple trips back and forth to Griffith over the next couple of years and just when she thought she was out of the woods, the cancer returned. From here, Leonie would need to undergo daily radiotherapy over a 4-week cycle at Wagga Wagga. Whilst this treatment was considerably closer at only 250km return, it would be too much for Leonie to drive back and forth every day. Can Assist Leeton stepped in again. First, they funded the transport costs of getting her to Wagga, and then they made it possible for her to stay at Lilier Lodge (a not-for-profit accommodation facility, part-owned and operated by Can Assist) by funding her out-of-pocket costs over the NSW government accommodation subsidy scheme for isolated patients (IPTAAS).

“I literally would not have been able to afford access to treatment. My only alternative would have been to borrow money and who would lend a pensioner that sort of money? The only possibility would have been a Centrelink Advance Payment of $1500 which would have entailed a forced payback of $100 a fortnight on my pension. After bills, that $100 would have come out of my food money, it has all been so stressful. I will be forever grateful Can Assist and to Lilier Lodge for their help and compassion” Leonie James

Leonie is back at home now, well, and excited about the future ahead of her.

Lyn’s Story

Lyn Pauling, 68 yrs., wife of Steve, Mother of 4 adult children, and grandmother to 8. Lyn was born and bred in Leeton.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, skin cancer, near 10,000km of driving, 2 months of hotel accommodation and many more months of treatment was not only emotionally exhausting but financially crippling.

When first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Lyn was flown to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney for immediate treatment. Sydney became home for Lyn for the next three months. Steve drove back and forth to Sydney (1,100 kms return per trip) multiple times over this period and spent several weeks in various Sydney accommodation facilities.

Upon returning to Leeton, Lyn would need to undergo chemotherapy treatment in Griffith (120km return per trip) where she would continue going twice a week every 8 weeks for the next two years.

But that was not the end of the story, several months ago, Lyn received a second cancer diagnosis -skin cancer this time. Back to Sydney for more surgery; more travel and more accommodation costs.

Next was radiotherapy at the Cancer Centre in Wagga and unlike her public hospital treatments in metropolitan Sydney, she would incur medical out of pockets. The RCCC required an upfront payment every two weeks for radiotherapy treatment – over $1,000 each time. Whilst Medicare provided a rebate, significant gaps remained. Over this period, Lyn stayed at the not-for-profit accommodation facility – Lilier Lodge, which is part-owned and managed by Can Assist. It was here that Lyn first became acquainted with Can Assist.

By now, Lyn was left thousands of dollars out of pocket over the course of her treatments. To make matters worse, given his repeated time off work, her husband had lost his building job and has never actually found full-time work again.

Can Assist Leeton stepped in – they would pay Lyn’s medical out of pockets, her out-of-pocket accommodation costs for the full 5 weeks stay in Wagga Wagga and they would issue her with multiple petrol vouchers. Without this assistance, Lyn would have been forced to drive back and forth daily, some 250 km, sick and exhausted. Lyn talks with fond memories of her time at Lilier – “It’s so much more than a bed; we had volunteers driving us to treatment, providing group dinners, education, exercise classes…. but most of all it was a safe haven; a family of people all going through the same thing. Lilier and Can Assist made it all so much easier, I will be forever grateful “

Luke’s Story

Luke Di Salvia, a teacher from Leeton was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 44 yrs. With time off work for surgery and 6 cycles of chemo the bills quickly added up. Luke contacted Can Assist Leeton to help!

“Whilst many things we take for granted scream to a halt during cancer treatment much of the mundane daily grind continues on unabated; there’s still plenty of bills to pay, cars to maintain, dishes to wash, lawns to mow, and kids to feed and clothe. Thankfully Leeton Can Assist were there in the background helping out by easing the burden of unexpected costs, thereby lessening our collective worries and thus helping me to more easily focus on getting better.“

“My second round of chemo fell in early January and so coincided with the Christmas school holidays. With the invaluable assistance of Leeton Can Assist we were able to stay at Lilier Lodge Wagga for my 5 successive days of treatment. Not only did this equate to a massive saving in travel time and cumulative rounds trips of over a thousand kilometres, it gave us a much needed chance to do plenty of fun activities with the kids and take their minds off the fears and uncertainty that comes with their Dad still in the early days of his cancer battle. Whilst I underwent my daily treatments the wife and kids did fun holiday stuff – went to the movies, laser tag, trampolining and shopping, with a central base, only 5 minutes from the Cancer Care Centre and Wagga CBD to return to at the end of the day. For this opportunity, afforded by Leeton Can Assist, we are forever grateful.“

 

Tommy’s Story

5yr old Tommy from Glen Innes woke up one morning very pale and with notable bruising; his Mum took him straight to the doctor. That same afternoon, he was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle and was diagnosed with Leukemia.

This was the beginning of a whirlwind for the Gill family – Mum, Dad and 2 younger siblings who were only 3yr and 6 months respectively at the time. Including various stays in hospital, Tommy, his two younger siblings and Mum accommodated at nearby Ronald MacDonald House for 12 months whilst treatment continued.

Initially, both parents stopped working, but needing to maintain a family income Lincoln would eventually return to work. From then on, he would make the 860 km, 11-hour return journey to Newcastle each weekend to be with his family.

After Tommy returned home, he developed a lung infection, and he was again flown back to Newcastle where he spent a further 1 month in hospital (half of which was in ICU).

After all the heartache, Tommy now has now been given a clean bill of health, and a 3rd sibling – baby Clare.

The Gills travelled well in excess of 50,000 km over the course of Tommy’s treatment: around 150 trips in total. “I couldn’t put a number on what we spent…. then there was the time off work and all the extra travel, we could not have got through it without the help of charities like Can Assist who provided us with multiple travel vouchers” Sam Gill, mother of Tommy.

Margie’s Story

I had heard about Can Assist through other people around my home town of Tumut, and previously seen and bought raffle tickets from street stalls to aid local fundraisers.

I didn’t imagine that I would ever need their help but when I was diagnosed with breast cancer after only recently being separated from my husband, I found myself in a very stressful situation with very limited funds. I required any assistance I could possibly get and the local Tumut Can Assist branch helped me with fuel vouchers, utility bill assistance and medication payments after surgery.

While I was staying in Wagga Wagga for treatment, the local branch there also assisted with frozen meals for my son and myself.
I know of no other organisations who assist with everyday costs when diagnosed with cancer.

My diagnosis meant that I had a mastectomy, along with radiation therapy. From the day I received the results I was shocked. It felt surreal, like I was watching myself from above and everything was not really happening to me. After surgery I cried for the first two weeks, when I was finally brave enough to look down and accept the loss of my breast, I did so and decided that I could face anything now that the worst was over.

With the mastectomy and radiation, my treatment program was around eight weeks. Radiation therapy was around five weeks, yet with Christmas & New Year holidays, it turned out to be six weeks.

I am the first in my family to have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I had always thought that it more of a hereditary situation, which is probably why I was so shocked, there had been no breast cancer in my family.

All assistance was very helpful, the fuel vouchers and medication payment saved me money that I could put towards medical expenses. Having the frozen meals being paid meant that after surgery when I was tired and sore meant that I did not have to cook and clean. The accommodation payment was so beneficial, as it meant that I could stay in Wagga Wagga during the treatment. Radiation therapy left me very tired and drained, had I had to drive each day I would have been a danger on the road not only to myself but other as well.

I am still to this day receiving help with fuel from Can Assist, as I have commenced hormone treatment, which will continue for the next seven to ten years, and I have regular visits with an Oncologist.

When Can Assist offered to help me financially I was relieved, travelling, along with medical expenses cost a small fortune. If I had not received help from Can Assist then my only alternative

Would have been to borrow the money or not have treatment. As it was, I did have to borrow money to cover medical expenses as Medicare did not cover some procedures.

My lasting impression of assistance given by Can Assist was that there are still kind, generous and caring people in the world. That includes people who gave or donated money or items to the organisation. My faith in society has been renewed.

The assistance given by Can Assist enabled me to ensure that my son and I had a somewhat normal Christmas and prior to that his Birthday in October. Had I not received assistance I would not have been able to give my son anything. The ladies from my local branch are very caring, understanding, and professional. They are a gift from God!

Thanking you so much, from a very appreciative cancer survivor.

Margie Crane

 

John’s Story

As a friend of Can Assist I know that you are very familiar with the work we do, I wanted to share my story with you to highlight our ongoing need for assistance, which is even more important today than it was when Can Assist started 63 years ago.

Can Assist was well known to me as both my mum and dad received assistance from the Can Assist West Wyalong Branch during their time in need. Sadly, Mum passed away from pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. Fortunately, Dad got through prostate cancer. Not only were Can Assist great supporting both Mum and Dad in their time of need but my parents also used the great facility Lilier lodge which saved them travelling from West Wyalong every day and allowed them to be close to their hospital to receive treatment in Wagga Wagga.

My own personal cancer journey started when I was living in Temora seven years ago as I was driving past the blood bank and thought I’d donate some blood. To my dismay, the preliminary test found my iron levels were alarmingly low and they would not let me out of there unless I went straight to the doctor who immediately sent me for a colonoscopy. As soon as I woke up, I was told I had bowel cancer. Numb is how I felt. My first question was, “okay what are we going to do about it?”

I was sent to surgeon based in Wagga Wagga who informed me he was going to remove most of my bowel. We also discovered I had a heredity cancer ‘Lynch Syndrome’ passed down from my mother’s family as mum was on a cancer register.

As I had to travel from to Wagga Wagga for treatment, the Can Assist Temora Branch offered a range of services to me, assisted me with fuel vouchers, and organised transport around town ensuring that I could get to my hospital appointments comfortably and with little stress.

I had to have eight weeks off work to complete my course of treatment and Can Assist Temora Branch were fantastic in supporting me during this time, keeping in constant contact to see if there was anything I needed and providing me with peace of mind during a very anxious period. As a father of three boys, I needed all the help I could get and the support I got form Can Assist was a great relief. I now have a colonoscopy every 12 months and am still in the clear thankfully.

I moved to Wagga Wagga six years ago. In August 2017, Bradley, the youngest of my three sons was diagnosed with bowel cancer, aged 20. The cancer was removed but after more scans it was discovered there was more cancer in the bowel plus his liver. He has just finished six months of chemotherapy. We are not sure where to from here, more scans will decide. He has also found out he has Lynch Syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many types of cancer.

In trying to find help for Bradley I discovered there was no Can Assist branch in Wagga Wagga. I couldn’t believe it so I decided to see what I could do about it. I sent an email to Can Assist enquiring about the lack of a branch in Wagga Wagga and I soon received a response.

Wheels were set in motion, and following a media onslaught, we called an inaugural meeting for the end of October. We organised guest speakers, the past Can Assist Board President, current Can Assist CEO and the president from the Gundagai branch. All we needed were people to turn up and they did so, about 50 in total and with an executive committee voted in we were set to go.

Wagga Wagga Can Assist now meets on the first Monday of the month at Lilier lodge, with a good turn up to meetings however more volunteers are always needed. The more hands the lighter the workload. We only expect people to do what they can and give as much time as they can afford. We have a fundraising committee and welfare committee. We are getting there, we are all new at this and Rome wasn’t built in a day. We are helping people with cancer and that’s why we are doing what we are.

I need to thank everybody that made this happen, pulled strings, gave time, loaned venues and provided advice. Fortunately, Can Assist has been there for me throughout my life, ensuring my parents, myself and now my son have assistance when they need it the most.

I am very happy to provide my time to such a worthy cause that ensures very dollar given locally is handed out to those who need it locally. Since it was established in 1955, more than 55 Can Assist rural and regional branches run entirely by over 3,000 volunteers across NSW proudly hand out financial assistance every day to people in their local community. I urge you to support today, no amount is too small. The financial assistance Can Assist provides is immeasurable and it can only continue with your help.

Thank you.

John Nixon
President Wagga Wagga Can Assist

*Sadly, Bradley lost his fight with cancer in March 2019. His father, John, and his brothers remain committed to the Can Assist Wagga Wagga branch and continue to volunteer to help those in their local community.

Can Assist is grateful to Bradley and to the whole Nixon family, for sharing their most personal experiences in order to raise awareness and assist others.

Bradley Nixon

Bill’s Story

I found out about Can Assist in October 2017 through local advertising, when a meeting was called to restart the Wagga Wagga Branch after previously being closed down due to lack of interest and activity. I went along to the meeting as I had a family history with cancer and decided to join as a member as they were so focused on the local community.

I have quite the family history with cancer, so felt that this was where I could best give back, volunteering my time and effort.

In the mid 1800’s , my grandmother had a breast removed, but lived to 93 after the removal. Her daughter died from breast cancer in her 40’s as well as three of her granddaughters. Then her son (my father) died from bowel cancer at the age of 79, as did one of his brothers. My father had to travel from Wagga Wagga to Sydney at the time, to receive cancer treatment – this was approximately 26 years ago.

My mother also died from bowel cancer, 13 years ago at the age of 89. Luckily, the cancer care centre in Wagga Wagga was operational at the time and this saved my mother from travelling the long distances my father had to undertake. Just three years ago, my sister died of stomach cancer at the age of 67. So, my history with family cancer is quite extensive.

I myself had a malignant melanoma removed 12 years ago, and then my prostate removed in November of 2018. It was a setback when I found out that I needed surgery at the end of last year, but I kept thinking positively. After surgery, I needed six weeks of radiation treatment, which was administered five days a week. It was at this point that I needed to ask Can Assist for some financial help, to assist with the high cost of surgery and treatments to try and alleviate some of the many expenses.

I live on my own in Wagga Wagga and there is nowhere else to turn to for assistance. I’m still receiving a little help until I can get back on my feet. I am currently waiting for results of this latest surgery, but remain hopeful and have a loving family around me to offer emotional support.

The feeling of relief when Can Assist offered financial support was amazing. When I joined Can Assist as a member, I didn’t realise I would so quickly need assistance myself.

I saw the help they gave to our local people and simply wanted to be part of a great organisation in any way I could. I looked around and found I could help raise funds for the local Wagga Wagga branch by running raffles and organising BBQs. Now that I have been a recipient of the Can Assist program, I am even more thankful for the organisation and take pride in the fact that I am a part of the Wagga Wagga branch and its ongoing fundraising efforts.

Thank you,
 Bill Lane

Kevin’s Story

In 2015 at the age of 75yrs, I went for my regular health checks and through the course of a blood test suddenly got the call back from my doctor. One test lead to another and before I knew it, I was undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer. The tests all came back positive but thankfully, we had caught it early and it was confined to the prostrate.

Off I went to the Cancer Centre in Tamworth to start my treatment. I have always had a positive outlook on life, despite my own and my wife’s multiple health challenges over the years, so I was positive from the word go.

I thought we’d just cut it out and get on with things, but I wasn’t going to have to undergo surgery, I was informed that I would be receiving medication, radiotherapy and injections instead.

The staff at the Cancer Centre in Tamworth took great care of me during my visits and it was while I was there that one of the nurses asked me if I needed any financial assistance with treatment costs.  I had needed to go to Newcastle for my initial MRI and my council rates were due, so I handed over my paperwork and Can Assist took care of it all.

I was so surprised when I was told that both bills were paid, I couldn’t believe there was an organization out there that would step in to help in such a practical way when most needed. Can Assist was the only organization that was there for me during this time and it made a huge difference to know there was help available.  

My treatment turned out to be medication for six months whilst receiving 39 doses of radiotherapy. Followed up by two years of injections. Wonderfully I am now in the clear and cancer free. 

But my story doesn’t stop there, because how could I repay Can Assist for the help they gave me? I thought I might be able to become an advocate for them. I’m great at telling a story, maybe people would like to come and listen to mine, and we could raise some funds to help others in the community who were in need of some financial assistance. So I approached the Gunnedah Branch of Can Assist and they were thrilled. Between us we organised a venue, catering, a long list of speakers, all sorts of cancer support groups, even my doctor, one of my nurses and a room full of people to listen and help the cause. We received free advertising and media arrived on the day. The seminar was a great success and we already have plans to organise another. I like to also keep a hands on role with my local branch by regularly setting up and selling tickets in their raffles.

I have been a Gunnedah local all my life and after leaving for a few years to chase work I came back and settled in Gunnedah with my wife of almost 50 years and young family. I’m now 78 and whilst I can’t be as active as I would like I can do my part in getting the word out about what a wonderful organization Can Assist is. Right across NSW they help thousands of people going through cancer treatment every year. So when asked if I would like to share my story for their Christmas Appeal I had no hesitation in saying yes, I therefore actively encourage you to donate at this time to ensure when someone you know receives the news that they have cancer, they don’t have to stress about how they are going to afford their treatment. Can Assist is there and it will help you when most needed.

Many kind thanks for your support.

Kevin

Merveen’s Story

Merveen

We as a family discovered the kindness of Can Assist back in 1993 when Alice our daughter, was diagnosed with terminal Leukaemia at age three. We lived in the country and Can Assist helped us with travel expenses and airfares. This help eased the financial pressure as we had four children, the youngest being just nine months old, all living on one wage.  The organisation came to my aid a second time in June 2017, when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was offered a huge support network for which I will always be grateful. Can Assist supplied the accommodation and some travel costs once again, taking the pressure off us financially.

I work in the medical field so was shocked when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer but quickly realised I couldn’t change it and it was not going to beat me. I could never say “why me” because if it wasn’t me it could be someone I love dearly and that wouldn’t be fair at all. I honestly never thought I would have to face Oncology and Clinics again after Alice’s diagnosis. But here I am.

Being a citrus farmer based in Griffith, I had to take a leave of absence from work for the duration of my treatment and recovery, so having accommodation expenses and some travel costs met was a godsend. My family were comforted with the fact they knew I was safe and living in a treatment free zone. A place where I could cry, laugh or sing if I wanted to, and be able to chat to others receiving the same treatment. It was very therapeutic to sit around the breakfast or dinner table and hear how everyone was faring, we became a family that began as strangers.

Alice

The offer of assistance from Can Assist was a huge relief. Without it, I would have had to stay in a motel with all the associated costs and the loneliness that comes with that environment. The alternative was a 450km daily round trip and an enormous financial burden.

Our family and my sisters and their families have been involved with fundraising for Can Assist in both Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga for years, since they helped us with Alice’s expenses. Never did I think I would have to ask Can Assist for help again. But we are very grateful for their assistance.

Thank you Can Assist.