Beyond a diagnosis: how rising fuel prices are impacting the most vulnerable
Donelle Ryan found a home at Lilier Lodge but with the increasing demand following fuel prices, Lilier Lodge is worried some might rethink about their treatment.
Donelle Ryan is sharing her struggle with travelling to Wagga after her husband was given six to 12 months to live, as fuel prices become a burden on top of it all.
Mrs Ryan’s husband was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2026 and has had to travel to Wagga for his treatment from Berremangra.
The cost-of-living crisis and soaring fuel prices have added to the challenging journey for the family.
“It’s a terrible thing – you think cancer and you’re in shock and then the next thing is money,” Mrs Ryan said.
“I mean you shouldn’t have to actually go to that but you’ve got no choice but to go to it.
“Just to fill up my car on half was $80 and it’s gone up since then.”
Mrs Ryan has found a home at Lilier Lodge, where they provide free accommodation for regional cancer patients and families.
However, Lilier Lodge’s Richard Moffatt said since the rise of fuel prices, demand has increased by 15 per cent.
“We run normally at around 85 per cent occupancy rate, but at the moment we’re running at 100 per cent occupancy rate,” Mr Moffatt said.
Donelle Ryan and Liliar Lodge’s Richard Moffatt call on the government to help regional cancer patients during the fuel crisis.
Mr Moffatt called on the federal and state governments to help regional charities struggling in such challenging times.
“The cost of going through cancer in the regions compared to the city is massive,” he said.
“What I’m calling on the federal government to do is to pause the fuel excise for anybody living in a regional postcode.
“Then what I’m calling on the state government to do is to ensure public transport services like TrainLink and the XPT are free for regional people.”
Some treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be done over a lunchtime break of work but regional areas who don’t have the services nearby and have to travel hundreds of kilometres have to leave their jobs and usually stay in for weeks in town like Wagga.
Mr Moffatt said although the fuel and the rise in the cost of living are impacting the entire country, there are “too many city politicians” who do not understand the burden regional people are going through.
Mr Moffatt said this will not only help charities keep providing life-saving services but will also assist farmers and other services.
Greyhound Racing NSW has announced from March 27, travel subsidies for participants taking one greyhound to a race meeting will increase from $60 to $100 due to fuel prices.
Racing NSW has also announced a $1.5 million fuel relief package to ease the financial pressure on NSW trainers, owners and jockeys.
Help from the government would mean families like Mrs Ryan’s would not have to worry about such challenges while going through some of the hardest times in their lives.
“I went into shock when I found out my husband had cancer … but if the government would help just to take pressure off us country people who need the help, it would mean so much to us all,” Mrs Ryan said.
Mr Moffatt said if the situation continues as it is, families and patients might rethink having treatment.
“What I’m worried about is there will be regional people that will be sitting at home deciding if they would continue their treatment,” he said.
colypointobserver.com.au
March 30 2026
