Rise Above

What Rise Above does

Rise Above - Capital Region Cancer Relief is an Australian registered non-profit charity (ABN 68 997 342 984) headquartered at 21 Cooma Street, Queanbeyan, NSW. Founded in 1985-1986 by Yvonne Cuschieri OAM as The Cancer Support Group, the organization was rebranded in 2019 to Rise Above and currently operates with 14 staff under CEO Wayne Simpson and Acting Chair Kim Stonham. The charity provides financial assistance and support services to cancer patients of any age, with any cancer type, residing in the Canberra and Queanbeyan Palerang Region — without means testing.

The core service is direct financial assistance covering medication and chemotherapy costs, dietary supplements, food and petrol vouchers, electricity accounts, fertility preservation, and (since 2023) up to $500 per patient in Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Counselling services via the UC Cancer Wellness Clinic partnership. In 2025, total assistance disbursed reached approximately $712,274 (food/fuel $517,685; medical/pharmacy $158,074; bills $32,266; other $4,249), supporting over 800 local cancer patients — roughly one-third of all regional diagnoses. A directory of 63 support service categories, patient referral services, an in-memory donation platform, and a support services directory complement the financial offering.

Rise Above generates revenue through a diversified donation and fundraising model: individual donations (preset tiers $20–$300), recurring giving, signature fundraising events (Trivia Party, Convoy for Cancer, Race Day, Pink Party, Handmade Markets), bequests and memorial donations, branded merchandise sales, corporate workplace giving, and the Queanbeyan Monopoly Edition board game project launched for the 40th anniversary. Two foundation partners — Capital Chemist Group (over $1,000,000 cumulative contributions) and Queanbeyan Leagues Club — anchor the funding base, supported by a broad ecosystem of community partners (Amplify 106.3/104.7, Thoroughbred Park, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Weston Cruise & Travel) and individual fundraisers. All services are provided free to patients, with reach driven by healthcare professional referrals, community events, and word-of-mouth.

Name

Rise Above

Legal name

ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group T/S Rise Above - Capital Region Cancer Relief

Website

https://riseabovecbr.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rise Above is an Australian non-profit charity providing no-means-tested financial assistance and support services to over 800 cancer patients annually across all cancer types and ages in the Canberra and Queanbeyan Palerang Region, funded by donations, fundraising events, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Patient Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Chronic Disease & Health Promotion Program Funding (HLAJALAJ)

Keywords

• Cancer patient support
• Charitable financial assistance
• Community fundraising events
• Cancer care services
• Patient financial aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Queanbeyan

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting local cancer patients. Donors can give via the website with various preset amounts ($20, $50, $100, $200, $300) or custom amounts, with options for one-time, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly giving.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from signature events including Trivia Party, Convoy for Cancer, Race Day, and community fundraising activities. Events include sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales.
3. Bequests and Memorial Donations: Legacies left in Wills, including percentage of estate, specific monetary amounts, or named assets. Also includes in-memory pages where family and friends donate in honor of deceased loved ones.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including teddy bears, trolley tokens, ice scrapers, travel cups, caps, and bucket hats through the online store.
5. Queanbeyan Monopoly Project: Special fundraising initiative selling spaces on a custom Monopoly board featuring local Queanbeyan businesses, with auction and buy-now options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rise Above - Capital Region Cancer Relief provides free financial assistance and support services to cancer patients in the Canberra and Queanbeyan Palerang Region, regardless of cancer type or age. Core offerings include direct financial aid for medication, chemotherapy, dietary supplements, food and petrol vouchers, electricity bills, fertility preservation, and UC Cancer Wellness Clinic access, as well as a directory of 63 support service categories.

Product overview

Rise Above Capital Region Cancer Relief is a charitable organization offering a unified set of services for cancer patients in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region. The core offering consists of financial assistance programs covering medication, food/fuel vouchers, electricity bills, and fertility preservation, complemented by a directory of 63 support service categories. Additional services include an online fundraising platform for community members, events program (Trivia Party, Convoy, Race Day), merchandise store (branded items), in-memory donation pages, membership and volunteer programs, corporate partnership opportunities, patient referral services, and the Queanbeyan Monopoly community fundraising initiative. The organization serves over 800 local cancer patients annually, approximately one-third of all cancer patients in the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Assistance Program Provides free financial assistance to cancer patients in the Canberra and Queanbeyan Palerang Region covering medication, chemotherapy costs, dietary supplements, food and petrol vouchers, electricity accounts, fertility preservation (for young adults), and the UC Cancer Wellness Clinic. No means testing; assists patients of any age with any cancer type.
• Support Services Directory Directory of 63 support service categories for cancer patients including accommodation, counselling, transport, medical products, and emotional support services. Searchable online resource for patients and families.
• Online Fundraising Platform Digital platform allowing supporters to create personalized fundraising pages to raise money for Rise Above, with tracking of donations and fundraising goals. Used by community members hosting events, challenges, or celebrations.
• Events Program Annual fundraising events including Rise Above Trivia Party, Convoy for Cancer, Race Day, 40th Birthday Celebration, and Handmade Markets participation. Events include sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales.
• Merchandise Store Online store selling branded merchandise including Teddy Bear ($25), Trolley Token ($2), Ice Scraper, Travel Cup ($15), Caps ($20), and Bucket Hat. Proceeds support Rise Above's cancer patient assistance programs.
• In Memory Donation Pages Online memorial pages allowing family and friends to donate in memory of loved ones, with customizable pages and donation tracking. Includes bequests (legacies in Wills including percentage of estate, specific monetary amounts, or named assets).
• Corporate Partner Program Partnership program allowing businesses to support Rise Above through corporate partnerships, workplace giving, and fundraising events. Includes foundation and community partner tiers.
• Patient Referral Service Referral service allowing healthcare professionals, family members, or friends to refer cancer patients to Rise Above for financial assistance via a dedicated referral form.
• Queanbeyan Monopoly Fundraising Project Special fundraising project creating a Queanbeyan-themed Monopoly board game with street spaces, Community Chest and Chance cards available for purchase by local businesses, with auction and buy-now options. Developed for Rise Above's 40th anniversary.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Winning Moves AustraliaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 13 April 2026Licensed Hasbro partner producing the Queanbeyan Monopoly Edition board game as a major fundraising initiative for Rise Above's 40th anniversary.
• Capital Chemist GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner providing over $1,000,000 in cumulative cash contributions. Capital Chemist runs workplace giving programs, donation boxes, and tap machines in their pharmacies across ACT and regional NSW. They also connect Rise Above with other organizations in the Canberra region. The partnership began with a $10,000 offer from group partners.
• QBN Leagues ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term major supporter that helped purchase the building Rise Above currently operates from. Provides ongoing yearly financial support through ClubGrants. Has supported the organization since its early days as the Cancer Support Group.
• Canberra Southern Cross ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports Rise Above through the Return-IT Cans for Cancer Relief campaign. Collection bins placed at Woden and Jamison venues, with 10 cents donated per eligible container collected.
• Thoroughbred ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanberra's iconic racing venue hosting 25 race meetings yearly including Melbourne Cup Day. Provides platform for Rise Above to raise awareness and funds through race day activations and events.
• Amplify 106.3 and 104.7coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor media partner since the organization's founding as Cancer Support Group. Loyal supporters from the first Convoy event through Balls and all major fundraising initiatives. Radio stations provide ongoing promotional support and community outreach.
• Weston Cruise & TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal travel agency with over 30 years experience, actively involved in supporting local causes. Led by local manager Sonaii Witchard, part of the Chris Watson Travel Group.
• ACT Equipment Scheme (ACTES)minorOthersGovernment scheme providing financial support for equipment purchases and maintenance for people with long-term disabilities, complementary to Rise Above's services.
• Australian Red Cross ACTminorOthersProvides chilled and frozen meals and nutrition education program, complementary support service for cancer patients and families.
• ACT Palliative Care SocietyminorOthersRepresentative body for palliative care in ACT providing volunteer support programs for palliative care patients, families, and carers.
• Respite Care for QueanbeyancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner providing comprehensive support alongside Rise Above. Yvonne Cuschieri OAM, founder of Rise Above, advocated for this facility after her own experiences. The organization has supported over 30,000 cancer sufferers and families over three decades.
• Running for ResilienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner started in 2019 with ambition to make Canberra suicide free by 2033. Provides complementary mental health and community support services.
• Veterans Motorcycle Club Federal ChapterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud military veterans and bikers united by brotherhood, supporting Rise Above as part of their range of local charity partnerships.
• Lone Wolf PromotionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive music preservation promoter holding annual blues and roots fundraiser in memory of Bucky, a mutual friend of Rise Above and Lone Wolf Promotions.
• SupercuriousminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency that developed the Rise Above mascot character, embodying optimism, care and courage of the Rise Above community. Nearly two decades of Canberra creative work including city branding.
• Canberra Craft Beer & Cider FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual festival supporting local charities including Rise Above, featuring breweries, cideries, distilleries, food and entertainment.
• The Pink PartyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual fundraiser for Rise Above started 14 years ago. Afternoon event with fun, laughs, games and dancing. Over 250 people attend yearly, with tables booked year to year.
• Community Individual SupportersminorOthersNumerous individual supporters organizing community fundraisers including Pink Party, Hawaiian Christmas Raffle, Women of Queanbeyan Calendar, Ngunnawal Christmas Lego Display, ACT Holden Day, Christmas Light Display, Zumbathon, and various other events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's peak national non-governmental cancer control organization. Offers overlapping cancer support, research funding, and prevention programs at scale, making it the dominant national alternative for donors considering Rise Above.

Direct peers

• McGrath Foundation: High-profile Australian cancer charity placing breast care nurses and providing patient support. Competes directly with Rise Above for breast cancer patient assistance dollars and corporate partnerships in the Canberra region.
• Tour de Cure: Australian cancer charity combining signature fundraising events (cycling, walking) with cancer research and patient support grants. Directly comparable event-driven fundraising model to Rise Above's Convoy for Cancer.
• Canteen Australia: Australian charity supporting young people (12–25) impacted by cancer with financial assistance, counselling, and peer support. Overlaps directly with Rise Above's young-adult patient segment, including fertility preservation support.
• Redkite: National charity providing financial, emotional, and educational support to families facing childhood cancer. Comparable to Rise Above's pediatric oncology family assistance, though at significantly greater national scale.
• Rare Cancers Australia: Australian charity advocating for and supporting patients with rare, less-common cancers, including financial assistance. Overlaps with Rise Above's universal cancer-type eligibility model and patient navigation services.
• Cancer Council ACT: The ACT division of Australia's largest cancer charity, operating in the same geographic catchment as Rise Above. Provides cancer information, support services, and fundraising, directly competing for local donors and event participation.
• Steven Walter Children's Cancer Foundation: Smaller Australian children's cancer charity funding research and supporting families, similar in scale and regional focus to Rise Above. Comparable as a niche cancer support charity reliant on community fundraising.
• Leukaemia Foundation: National Australian charity dedicated to blood cancer patients, providing financial and emotional support similar to Rise Above's cancer-patient assistance model, but at national scale and focused on a cancer subtype.
• Pancare Foundation: Australian charity supporting patients with pancreatic, GI, and other upper GI cancers through financial assistance, research, and advocacy. Comparable targeted cancer support and patient financial assistance model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/riseabovecbr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riseabovecbr
• Instagraminstagram.com/riseabovecbr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rise Above