Judy’s Story

Judy has lived in Coleambally since she was 10 and is thankful for her supportive community, especially her local Can Assist branch. When Judy found that she had breast cancer from a regular mammogram in 2018 in Wagga, she needed to travel either to Wagga (400km round trip) or to Griffith (140km round trip) for treatment. Her partner needed to stop work for a while to look after Judy, so Can Assist provided Judy with financial support. “Sue (from Can Assist) is absolutely beautiful. And like with my brother, who had bone cancer, she couldn’t do enough for him”. 

Judy was diagnosed with her second cancer in 2024. She had delayed her regular tests for breast cancer from November until January 2024, and within a month Judy was on chemo. The cancer was back in the same breast, on the scar tissue of the first cancer. It was big, but a different cancer to the first one. Judy’s treatment plan includes chemo, surgery and immunotherapy – either at Wagga or Griffith. Once again Can Assist is assisting Judy. 

“Can Assist are marvellous” – they gave Judy a card for filling up with petrol, paid for one car registration and assisted with electricity bills, pharmaceutical costs, medical bills, community transport, and staying at Lilier Lodge in Wagga. Judy had helped Can Assist in the past but “it felt weird to ask for help for herself”.  Judy said that she “can understand people not having treatment because they don’t want to ask for help”. 

“Thank you Can Assist for your help. You’ve made things so much easier for me”.