Accommodation thru You Can Stay if aged 15-29 for rural/regional/remote cancer patients
As well as Fuel and Accommodation available thru IPTAAS (see Patients Assistance Travel Schemes - rebates & rules as at July 2025 | BCNA Online Network),
I've only just heard about this service being available to those of us living in Rural, Regional and Remote areas of Australia ... the only proviso is that you or your child is aged between 15-29 at the time of the cancer diagnosis. This means the family can stay together in apartment style accommodation, to support the patient - for up to 6 months - which may be extended on a case by case reassessment after 5 months.
https://www.sonyfoundation.org/what-we-do/you-can
The You Can Stay Accommodation Scheme provides free accommodation to 15 – 29 year old cancer patients who live in regional and rural areas in Australia who need to travel to the major cities for appropriate cancer treatment services that are not available closer to home.
This Scheme is supported by individuals, sporting groups (eg Tour De Cure) and corporations (eg Sony Foundation Australia)
They ask that: When a patient is accepted on to the You Can Stay program, we ask that they, and their referring clinician assist with completing some forms for Sony Foundation to secure a rebate from the government to offset some of the costs (Patient Accommodation & Travel Rebate) eg IPTAAS/all state Travel Schemes.
Check out all the Drop Down Menus here - (there are camps available for children with disabilities too.)
https://www.sonyfoundation.org/youcanstay
'YOU CAN FERTILITY REFERRAL HUB' - Here you can find more information on fertility preservation options for cancer patients.
You Can Fertility is a national oncofertility program for 13–30-year-olds in partnership with The National Ovarian and Testicular tissue Transport and Cryopreservation Service (NOTTCS) at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne and Sony Foundation.
https://www.sonyfoundation.org/youcanfertility
Accommodation Information:
https://d2xo9fq8pkrf30.cloudfront.net/726c4c84b39f4492760ee9ac26cbc685.pdf
Quest Properties Supporting You Can Stay:
https://d2xo9fq8pkrf30.cloudfront.net/6d7ec98748fc1d031e93d9985e750284.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions:
https://d2xo9fq8pkrf30.cloudfront.net/082d96a0c81ca7698f8715c187f3551a.pdf
They even have Holiday Camps for children with a disability, to give the parents 'time out' ....
https://www.sonyfoundation.org/what-we-do/childrens-holiday-camps
Check out their most recent publication - SHOUT Spring 2025:
https://d2xo9fq8pkrf30.cloudfront.net/e250387a59c4010e4635ff0e83c36b42.pdf
Please share this information with your family & friends who live in Rural, Regional or Remote areas of Australia ..... it may be a wonderful support to them, if they need to travel to the Major Cities for cancer treatment