Helen’s Story

Helen felt very fortunate with her cancer journey. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, after a routine mammogram in West Wyalong. Helen had to have surgery, and a month of radiation. But she was very glad that she didn’t have to have chemo. 

Helen stayed at Lilier Lodge in Wagga whilst having her 5 weeks of radiation treatment – “the staff there are absolutely beautiful – couldn’t do enough for me”. Can Assist paid for the 5 weeks accommodation at Lilier Lodge, thank goodness, as Helen was retired and on her own. 

Helen’s husband John died from bowel cancer 9 years ago, after “he fought it for 7 years”.  After his journey, Helen joined Can Assist as a volunteer, as she had a greater understanding of the distance that country cancer patients must travel for appointments, scans and tests, and for treatment. Being involved with Can Assist certainly helped Helen stay positive when she was diagnosed with cancer. “I just cannot imagine what it must have been like before people had Can Assist’s help”. 

*Personal image withheld at Helen’s request.