After volunteering with the branch for over a year, David Walker has stepped up to the top job, taking over from long-serving president Fran Ellis.

Can Assist - formerly the Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW - has been operational since 1955 and is a grass roots not-for-profit organisation operating in 55 towns across country NSW.

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All funds raised allow the charity to help Dubbo and district patients with their financial needs, like medical, pharmaceutical, travel and accommodation to help alleviate the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis.

"Cancer is a pretty frightening thing when it impacts on people, be it themselves or their families," Mr Walker said.

"It often means people are off work or have a reduced income, and then on top of that they have a whole lot of financial burdens that they need for treatment.

"For people who live in rural and regional NSW that often involves going away from home, so they've got travel costs and accommodation expenses as well.

"So it can be pretty overwhelming for people."

Mr Walker said the Dubbo and District branch stretches as far as Lighting Ridge, Bourke, Coonabarabran, Wellington and in between.

"People who live in more isolated areas, they've got all these other barriers to deal with as well," he said.

"So we're trying to make it as easy as possible for the people who live in our western area, to confront and beat cancer."

The charity raises money through raffles and donation boxes scattered around the town, but notably the Dubbo branch hosts two major events a year, the Autumn open gardens and charity golf day.

Mr Walker said while the golf day was cancelled due to COVID-19, plans were already under way for the open garden in April next year.

The branch president said residents who need support should talk to their cancer treatment specialist, who will put them in touch with the charity.

Donations can also be made to the charity through their website canassist.org.au.