Can Assist already makes a huge difference to countless lives, but the volunteers want to help even more.

Can Assist branches from the Central West to the North Coast gathered in Parkes in November for a regional meeting.

One of the aims of the meeting was to help Can Assist work out what strategies are working, what needs changing, and how they can support more cancer sufferers into the future.

Ideas such as volunteer’s workloads, succession planning and how to create a new, fresh look for merchandise were discussed, as was a plan to attract younger members into the organisation.

Can Assist Executive Director, Emma Phillips said the meeting was about “how to support and lighten the load on the people in the branches that are doing the work, sharing ideas and where the charity is heading”.

“The reason our community supports us is because the money doesn’t leave the town.

“Money raised local stays local.  

“In most other organisations, the money goes into a pool and is then redistributed.

“With us, the NSW body doesn’t touch the branch money,” Mrs Phillips said.

All the money raised by the local Can Assist branch does stay local, and it helps people in rural and remote areas of NSW get the same care and treatment as those in the city centres.

By providing support for accommodation and financial assistance to people from rural and regional areas, Can Assist branches ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and choices about the kind of treatment they receive as people in city centres.

Guests travelled to the event from Can Assist branches in Blayney, Dubbo, Dunedoo, Forbes, Mid North Coast, Moree, Orange, Parkes, Peak Hill, Tamworth, Uralla and West Wyalong.

Since 1955, Can Assist's network of branches in NSW have grown to over 55.

These branches raise vital funds to provide direct support to those in their local communities.

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