Can Assist celebrates 70 years of creating 'a community that cares'

Can Assist has celebrated a massive milestone for the charity – its 70 years of assisting country cancer patients across NSW.

Local members celebrated with a special luncheon at Club Gunnedah last Sunday. Gunnedah Branch was founded back in 1958 and has been proudly supporting local cancer patients and their families for almost seven decades.

President Kate Knight thanked all the dedicated volunteers and said, “It was them who make our Can Assist work possible”.

Gunnedah Can Assist volunteers also gave a special thanks also to the local community who so generously support the charity. On a national level, Can Assist has celebrated with a special event at NSW Parliament House.

The event honoured the volunteers, donors, and supporters who have made seven decades of care possible.

The celebration brought together Members of Parliament, volunteers, and supporters from across New South Wales, paying tribute the charity’s kindness, generosity and local support for country people facing cancer far from home.

Deeta Colvin and Leigh MacPherson (Gunnedah Can Assist) pictured at Parliament House

The celebration was hosted by David Graham as MC and featured heartfelt speeches from Dr Joe McGirr MP, Can Assist patron John Colvin, and president Justine Turnbull.

From humble beginnings in 1955, when a small group of Sydney women came together to raise money for cancer patients in need, Can Assist has grown into a statewide network of 57 branches, all powered by volunteers. Every branch is driven by one shared belief — that no one should face cancer alone, no matter where they live.

Today, Can Assist supports more than 4,000 country cancer patients every year, helping cover the hidden costs of cancer exacerbated by distance to treatment – travel, accommodation, groceries, utilities, and out-of-pocket medical expenses – so patients can focus on getting well.

“This milestone is a testament to the power of community,” said Can Assist president Justine Can Assist.

“It’s a testament to vision, dedication and the belief that together we can change lives. We’re celebrating the countless individual moments of kindness, compassion and community spirit that have brought us here. This milestone belongs to every volunteer who has baked a cake, cooked a sausage, or sold a raffle ticket – together we’ve built something extraordinary – a community that cares”.

Gunnedah Can Assist volunteers, Leigh and David MacPherson attended the function as representatives of Gunnedah Branch.