Together, we’re helping people live better lives during and after cancer.

In 2022/23, we ramped up our efforts to help people live better lives after a cancer diagnosis and beyond.

The cost of living rose sharply this year, but we responded by helping more people financially than we ever have before.

We also connected with the community to campaign for change at the NSW election.

How we transformed our services to support more people affected by cancer

The cancer landscape in Australia is changing quickly, with increasing demand for cancer support and information.

This is because people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis than ever before, thanks to life-saving research. And more people are being diagnosed with cancer as our population grows and ages.

Thanks to your support, we’re able to meet this increasing demand by transforming our capabilities, processes, structure and technology.

Here are three things we achieved in 2022/23.

1

We now deliver our services to more people more efficiently

We helped 10% more people, without compromising the quality of our service.

We achieved this by improving our technology and processes.

2

We’ve made it easier for our clients to access our services

In the past, our clients spoke to many different people to access different services. But now, many clients can speak to just one person and access multiple services, tailored to their preferences and needs.

Since changing this process, we have surveyed our clients and found that they are highly satisfied with the changes.

3

We’ve helped people through the cost-of-living crisis

People affected by cancer already face the financial, physical and emotional burdens of cancer and treatment.

This year, they also faced the additional pressure of rising cost of living. We were able to respond by providing more people with legal and financial support.

We provided$1.15m worth of financial assistance payments to 3, people struggling with the high cost of cancer.
We facilitated $3.3m of free legal, financial planning and workplace advice to 1, patients and carers through our Pro Bono Program

Wayne’s advice on looking out for your health and living with cancer

“Fellas like me: tradies, farmers, drovers, earth movers, cowboys. You need to realise we’re not bulletproof.”
– Wayne McDonell

Watch Wayne’s video above or read Wayne’s advice to men putting off seeing their doctors

Mobilising the community to help more people live well with cancer and beyond

There has never been a more important time to stand for change, to better support people impacted by cancer in NSW.

With our growing and ageing population, more people in total will be affected by cancer than ever before. And although people survive cancer at higher rates than ever before, 1 in 3 of those diagnosed will die.

That’s why, in 2023, we were proud to work with the community to put cancer control firmly back on the agenda in our Here for Change campaign.

In the lead up to the NSW state election in March, we called on the NSW Government to introduce four policy proposals, backed by evidence:

  1. 1Invest in cancer prevention – so more people can live a cancer free life.Watch video: The importance of cancer prevention
  2. 2Improve early detection and diagnosis of bowel cancer – so more lives can be saved.Read more: The simple test that saved Karen’s life
  3. 3Introduce the highest standards of cancer care – so people with cancer receive the best possible care, no matter who they are or where they live.Watch video: Quality cancer care and support, no matter where you live
  4. 4Support people to live well during and after a cancer diagnosis – so they can live a higher quality of life.Watch video: How support makes a difference

We would like to thank all of our fantastic volunteers and staff for making this campaign a success. Together, we put cancer control front and centre to the NSW Members of Parliament.

Moving forward, we will work with the new government to ensure needed actions are taken to curb the impacts of cancer on our communities for decades to come.

We collected almost5,000
signatures on our pre-election petition.
We held120meetings with 57 MPs
NSW MPs publicly supported our key priorities58times
Our community of advocacy supporters grew to25,000

Thank you for your ongoing support in 2022/23. Together, it’s all of us against cancer.

Keep reading ›› We’re delivering better outcomes for NSW communities