For Maria, helping others isn’t just something she does – it’s who she is. After more than ten years as Peak Hill’s Can Assist Welfare Officer, she’s learned that sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference. 

“When I find out someone’s been diagnosed, I introduce myself and explain how we can help,” she says. “It’s rewarding to know you’re helping people when they need it most,” she says. 

Much of that help comes in the form of fuel vouchers – a lifeline in a place where treatment is far from home. “The nearest town is 47 kilometres away, and Orange is 160km,” Maria explains. “And especially now, it’s a lot of money. Fuel vouchers are the biggest support I give, every single week.” 

Alongside that practical support, Maria offers something just as vital: comfort. She calls each client weekly, not only to arrange help but to simply listen. “And I take that on as part of the service.” 

One of her favourite roles is delivering Peak Hill’s signature “care bags” – wheeled overnight bags filled with toiletries, blankets, pillows and personalised cancer information. “People light up,” she says. “One family told me, ‘It felt like someone thought of him.’” 

But not everyone finds it easy to accept help. Many of the people Maria supports are proud, private, and used to doing things on their own. “Some don’t like asking for anything,” she explains. “So I don’t ask what they want – I find out their treatment, and then I just turn up with an envelope of vouchers.” She smiles softly. “I’ve never had anyone refuse. Sometimes the relief on their face says more than words ever could.” 

For Maria, the privilege is all hers. “I feel lucky to help,” she says. “In a small town, we look after each other – that’s what makes our community special.”

Facing a cancer diagnosis can be confronting, but it hits a little harder when there are long distances to travel for treatment… and you have three boys aged under five.

That was the scenario facing Tanya Hancock when a random lump in her hand was diagnosed as a stage three soft-tissue sarcoma in 2010.

Tanya, a Senior Benefits Specialist in Port Macquarie, is now a cancer survivor, so when Essential Energy became the major sponsor for Can Assist’s Can Do the Distance challenge, she took some positive steps to help bridge the distance facing cancer patients in regional NSW.

Can Assist has been helping families across regional, rural and remote NSW since 1955, with 56 branches and more than 3000 community volunteers yearly. The Can Do the Distance challenge encourages people to put together a team and take on a fitness or wellness activity of their choice such as running, walking or even reading a book.

Tanya walked 157 kilometres (km) or about 136,000 steps. Colleague Katrina Gavin-Smith walked more than 202,000 steps to capture the sunrise and sunset each day, while Kate Winchcombe read for more than 14 hours. Tanya says the challenge was a great way to connect with her colleagues while raising awareness about how much harder cancer treatment is when living in the country.

“I grew up in Gunnedah but was living in Port Macquarie when I received the diagnosis,” Tanya says. “I was lucky to have a lot of support from family, friends, the boys’ pre-school and the community, but it isn’t like that for many people.

“I had to have treatment in Sydney and faced the prospect of losing a limb. Everybody knows someone with cancer, so there was a common goal towards being involved.

“I didn’t feel alone,” Tanya says.

Tanya Hancock, right, with some of her Can Do the Distance teammates,

Sue Wells and Val Dsouza.

An Essential Energy team of eight from Armidale, led by Senior Resource Supervisor Jake Andrews, took on a marathon golf challenge of playing 54 holes in a day, while other team members ran 100 km. Powerline worker, Richard Blake cycled 1000 km, representing the distance to the nearest cancer treatment centre.

“We know the difference Can Assist makes for cancer patients throughout country NSW. They understand the barriers to accessing treatment due to distance and work hard to pull them down,” Jake says.

The Essential Energy team from the Armidale depot.

So far, they have collectively raised $5430 with Essential Energy adding to the tally through additional donations to its participating teams. One hundred per cent of funds go directly to NSW country cancer patients to ensure equitable access to treatment.

“At Can Assist, we’re proud to share that each year, we extend a helping hand, delivering $2.5 – $3 million in assistance across more than 10,000 requests,” Can Assist Advocacy and External Relations Manager Majella Gallagher says.

“Our support is as unique as everyone’s needs, with the focus on travel, accommodation and medical costs. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about making a real, personal impact in the lives of those we’re privileged to assist.”

“Distance matters. Country residents are more likely to contract cancer, experience higher mortality rates and are 17 times more likely to experience geographical or financial barriers to care.”

To donate, go to the Can Assist website and click on the link to donate at Can Do the Distance 2024. Donations are open until 14 September.

www.essentialenergy.com.au

09 September 2024