Cancer patients in need, and who rely on their car to get to treatment, are encouraged to ask for financial assistance.

A cancer diagnosis in rural or remote NSW can bring the additional burden of travelling long distances to treatment.

"Our local cancer patients can't get to treatment if they can't travel," Can Assist Eurobodalla Patient Assistant Officer Yvonne Scott said.

"The main objective is getting people to treatment in Canberra, Nowra or Bega. This injection of funding means we can do more. With the green slip covered by greenslips.com.au we can give them other assistance."

Can Assist provides practical and financial support to cancer patients through travel, food and fuel vouchers, pharmaceuticals and utilities payments. Can Assist Eurobodalla support 65-75 patients each year, but knows many more in the community need help. The number seeking support is growing with the impact of bushfires and COVID-19, which puts an added burden on local cancer patients. The branch is keen to help more patients in need.

"The emotional benefits are huge. A lot of people don't like asking for help and when we offer them assistance they often respond, 'are you sure nobody needs it more than me?'," Ms Scott said.

"You can hear their breath go out, the sigh of relief, with so much appreciation and gratitude."

Oncology Social Worker Michele Polach at Eurobodalla Cancer Care Centre, NSW Health said she referred two or three patients weekly to Can Assist.

"Cancer is very expensive, particularly when treatment is not available locally," Ms Polach said.

"Travelling to treatment is most important so having a working vehicle to travel for regular cancer treatment within or outside the Eurobodalla, is a huge drain on the family budget.

"Can Assist offers reassurance that someone in their community cares for them. In a time of uncertainty, we can say 'here is someone who can help you'. Can Assist provides prompt and reassuring support for our patients. When someone asks, 'how do I get myself to treatment?', Can Assist just picks them up."

Can Assist Eurobodalla is funded entirely by local donations and all money raised locally stays local. While you won't currently see volunteers at their regular fundraising events, Can Assist still accepts donations and welcomes the corporate sponsorship from greenslips.com.au. During COVID-19, patient needs are even more acute and Can Assist remains committed to assisting all local cancer patients.

Call 0457 885 721. All patient inquiries and support are strictly confidential. Visit www.canassist.org.au.