Tag Archive for: West Wyalong

West Wyalong Can Assist thank local year 9 Students

In term 4, West Wyalong High School Year 9 Commerce students took a big step into the world of business by running their own small ventures.

From loaded fries and sausage sizzles to hamburger sliders, sweets and slices, soft drinks, and even a car wash, the students showcased incredible creativity and hard work!
Throughout the activity, students developed innovative business ideas, mastered marketing strategies, and delivered outstanding customer service. With a healthy dose of competition, each group focused on maximising profits by carefully tracking their sales and expenses and applying real-world business skills to calculate their final earnings.
A huge congratulations to all students for their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm in making this initiative a great success!
To top it off, all profits have been generously donated to the local branch of Can Assist, supporting those in need within the West Wyalong community.

 

Source and Image Credits: West Wyalong High School Facebook page.

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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.

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Wayne’s Story

 

Due to his unusual type of cancer, Wayne had to spend 6 months away from home – 600kms away from home. Wayne was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2019. He had an operation to remove and replace his bladder with an artificial bladder, followed by 6 months of chemo – all in Melbourne. 

And due to being in Melbourne for so long, Wayne and his wife Roz quickly ran out of annual leave and sick leave, and were unable to work or get benefits. So, Wayne and Roz had financial stress on top of the cancer stress. 

“Without Can Assist, I don’t know where I would be today. Traveling for cancer diagnosis and treatment is expensive. It would have just been financially impossible”. Can Assist assisted Wayne with travel costs (he has travelled 18,000km so far) and accommodation costs in Melbourne (which is not a day trip away). 

Wayne and Roz, with their bike riding crew, held a fundraising bike ride for Can Assist in 2024 and are planning another one next year – Ride for Cancer. Cancer has also affected some of the other bike crew members “they reckon they wouldn’t be here now to tell their story, without Can Assist”. 

Unfortunately, Wayne is starting his cancer journey once again. During his five-year test on his bladder cancer (which was clear), a tumour on his lung has been identified. He has already done 5 trips to Melbourne in 3 months. Fortunately, Wayne and Roz’ philosophy is “to take one day at a time and we focus on the good. We don’t focus on the bad”. 

West Wyalong: Recipe book

As we were restricted in our fundraising  opportunities due to COVID-19 our treasurer, Jodie Quinn came up with the idea of printing a recipe book. Contributions came from our members and the  general community. A successful grant application from the Shire Council assisted with printing costs. This has been a great fundraiser.