THE Bathurst branch of the Cancer Patients Assistance Society (Can Assist) recently hosted a high tea at the scenic Abercrombie House, with all money raised through ticket sales going towards helping cancer patients.
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Can Assist has been providing financial assistance to NSW residents for more than 65 years, with the Bathurst branch established in the 1980s.
"We set the fee of the ticket price only [for the high tea]," Can Assist Bathurst president Gen Croaker said.
"We've had no fundraising other than that to let people know we're not trying to get every cent out of them, it's to give a little bit back as well as get some."
Receiving no government funding, the society hosts numerous fundraisers and relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to help locals affected by cancer.
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"All funds that are raised in Bathurst or around that we are given to us are used for patients locally, in the 2795 post code," Ms Croaker said.
"There's no administration nor any other amount goes out of that account, it's all for cancer patients here."
Eligible for support are people with a pre-diagnosis and patients currently going through cancer treatment, with the financial assistance provided covering a large range of needs.
"We have a priority of drugs first, then pharmaceuticals and whatever is needed for their better quality of health," Ms Croaker said.
"Then we go onto domestic accounts like gas, electricity, phone and a few other things.
"If possible we pay the full amount but if our funds a little bit stretched we come back to a percentage and 90 per cent of the time it is never less than half.
"We have at times been asked to help pay for funerals and for accommodation where there is no other avenue of financial assistance."
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Patients living rurally experience much higher costs during treatment, especially patients with young families having the added costs of travelling and accommodation.
Smaller necessities like parking and eating also add up quickly.
Can Assist has more than 55 branches throughout NSW with the Sydney office raising funds for communities that don't have a local branch, ensuring that everyone has an avenue for support regardless of how rurally they live.
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