Welcome

Can Assist  provides assistance and care to cancer patients and their families through our network of branches and accommodation facilities. Each year more than $1.8 million goes directly to supporting people with cancer in rural NSW.

Can Assist was established by Mrs Mona Ham, a trained nurse who recognised the lack of support services specifically designed to assist rural patients and their families.  Mona worked tirelessly and in 1961 the Jean Colvin Hospital was opened. Today this facility is known as the Jean Colvin Cancer Centre.


Robyn Cahoun
Chief Executive Officer


"What with the drought and difficulties we have faced over the years, the cancer diagnosis was the last thing we needed. Being told we needed to leave the land and go to Sydney for 6 weeks was harder than the thought of radiotherapy!  Finally realising that the only financial support I could receive from the government was $33 per day that was meant to cover my travel and accommodation, I never knew where to turn.  Thank heavens for Can Assist, I could never have done this without their care and support, financial and emotional ." Patient, Jean Colvin Cancer Centre