The Can Assist Yass branch is holding a fundraising stall Saturday, November 6 from 8am to 12pm at the corner of Comur Street and Meehan Street.

Otherwise known as the Cancer Assistance Network, an organisation that helps ease the burden of cancer for country families throughout NSW, Yass’ branch hopes to raise funds to help those living with cancer in the region.

The stall will be selling baked goods, homemade jams, pickles, chutneys, books, and plants.

There will also be some various brick-a-brack of mostly new items like household knickknacks and bedspreads. But don’t forget to grab a snag as you peruse the stall’s goods at Can Assists well-known barbecues.

Yass’ Can Assist Publicity Officer Annie Waterhouse said there will also be a raffle for three prizes that will be drawn at the end of the day. The prizes include a slow cooker, a pedestal fan and a rice cooker.

Annie said Can Assist’s fundraising efforts were significantly affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns because they were unable to participate in their usual market barbecues and other regular fundraising activities. She said they also had to cancel a few big events on their fundraising calender due to restrictions.

But with the next Murrumbateman Village Markets set for November 13 and the Binalong Markets for November 14, Annie said things are starting to rev up for Can Assist.

“We’re certainly going to be busy during December,” she said. “This is usually our peak fundraising time and so we have to try and get to as many things as we possibly can in the lead up to Christmas.”

However, Annie said while they can reflect on all the things they were unable to do Can Assist has been able to meet all of their requests for help throughout the pandemic since March last year.

Annie said she wants to stress that people should not hold back if they want to contact Can Assist if they have cancer and need assistance with the associated costs.

“We do want them to contact us because that’s our main work there.”

Outside of financial aid Can Assist’s Patient Liaison Officers, Jean Frost and Janice Puckett, also offer emotional support to cancer sufferers and their families.

Some people are in appalling situations,” Annie said. “Because they’ve lost their income, the carers often lost their income as well.”

As a result of that you’ve got people who are emotionally fraught because not only are they dealing with the biggest battle of their lives to try and beat the cancer but they’ve got all these other things happening,” she said. Such as providing for their families, caring for children, and many other needs.

“They rely very heavily on people like Jean and Janice for that sort of support.”

By Brianna O’Rourke