The Fight Cancer Foundation has recruited former Albury mayor Alice Glachan to help raise $1 million for the 10-room expansion of the Hilltop centre completed in 2013.

FCF managing director Eric Wright said stage two of the centre, which has helped 1000-plus families, was needed ahead of time.

"We were expecting it to be OK for the best part of 10 years," he said.

"[But] We're now six years in and reaching capacity.

"The throughput of the cancer centre was capped at about 250 patients a day and Robyn Gillis, the director there who is on our board, tells me it is now approaching 350 a day ... and that impacts on us.

"That's why we're doing this two or three years earlier than I would have thought."

Patients are choosing the Border's centre over Melbourne, Ms Glachan said.

"Because when they're here, they're in a community where they feel very welcome," she said.

"I truly believe a big part of why this [stage two] has come on so early, is because people choose to use these facilities, both the treatment and Hilltop, because it's a comfortable environment."

Ms Glachan was announced as fundraising campaign director at a launch on Tuesday night.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to renew the interest of the service groups who were significant leaders in the first stage," she said.

"What I always found so amazing was that people in the inner part of our community - Albury and Wodonga - were happy raising money for the broader community.

"Local people use this facility on occasion, but the vast majority of users are from hours away."

Rotary Club of Albury North, Lions District 201V6 and the Zonta Club of Albury-Wodonga are long-term partners and helped to raise $3.2 million for the initial build of 20 rooms and communal facilities.

"The place was paid for completely, two weeks before we opened the front door - that's unheard of," Mr Wright said.

"People just came out of the woodwork with incredible generosity.

"We're thoroughly excited about this new phase.

"The project will cost just on $4 million.

"We're three-quarters of the way there with funding already - we have a grant from the federal government for $1.9 million and the foundation is putting in $1.1 million.

"So we're asking the communities that feed into this place to put in the other $1 million."

Ms Glachan said the opportunities to support stage two were endless.

"If a business can't provide cash, they can provide in-kind support," she said.

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Past donations have ranged from $1.49, the balance remaining on a child's gift card, to $100,000 raised between the 2519 people of Finley.

Those wanting to help can email Alice.Glachan@fightcancer.org.au.