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And thanks to a federal grant Can Assist can continue to assist cancer patients and their families.

The non for profit organisation raises much need funds to help support people with cancer and often covers medication costs.

The grant which totalled to $2380 allowed the Can Assist volunteers to purchase a large branded marquee.

Can Assist Southern Highlands branch treasurer Mike Walker said the marquee allowed for market stalls to go ahead when regular fundraising activities were halted due to COVID-19 in 2020.

"The marquee got a lot of people more people stopping and asking about Can Assist," he said.

"We were able to raise money from the market stalls."

Can Assist Vice President Grahame Hacket said donations and fundraisers were vital to Can Assist.

"We spend between $6000 to $9000 on pharmaceuticals per month," he said.

"We currently have 160 patients and our numbers are growing. Not money goes to Sydney, it stays here in the Highlands to help with costs associated with cancer.

"The cost of medication has also gone up. The pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) has been a help."

Can Assist's fundraising coordinator Desmond Freeman said patients were all anonymous and could ask for help at several pharmacies.

"We have an account with several pharmacies," he said.

Grahame also added that Can Assist had developed a relationship with Southern Highlands Community Hospice.

"When we've exhausted our funds, we can continue to help through Southern Highlands Community Hospice," he said.

Southern Highlands Community Hospice provides hospice and palliative care services for the Southern Highlands community.

Federal member for Whitlam Stephen Jones said the volunteers at Can Assist did incredibly hard work and deserved to be recognised with federal funding and was happy to support them.

"The grant to Can Assist for $2380 will help them in raising awareness for the organisation and their goal in providing support to rural and regional families facing cancer," he said.

To donate to Can Assist here. There are also more than 40 donation boxes across the highlands.

To become a volunteer or to learn more, please email southernhighlands@canassist.org.au

Money raised goes towards supporting cancer patients and their families.

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