Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong

The Dry July Foundation funded the refurbishment of both the inside and outside of the accommodation at Baa-Lee Lodges.

These units are accommodation for patients undergoing regular treatments at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

With funds raised through the recent Dry July campaigns, the team have been able to ensure the space is kept comfortable and made to feel like a home away from home.

Recent additions to the units include side consoles. The console provides storage for patients and their families so they can unpack and feel comfortable and not like they are living from their suitcase during their stay. 

Ian and Barb were the first residents of the Ba-Lee Lodges after they were recently refurbished thanks to funding from the Dry July Foundation.

Ian was a patient of Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre receiving 8 weeks of radiation therapy.

With the couple living in Mildura the relief of not having to worry about finding accommodation for the duration of Ian’s treatment was great.

The Ba-Lee Lodges are located in close proximity to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre which makes getting to and from treatment easy for patients and with the recent upgrades the units are now more than ever a home away from home for patients and their families.

Although this time was very difficult for Ian and his wife Barb, he described their stay at the Ba-Lee Lodges as “almost like a holiday”

Thanks to the generosity of the Dry July Foundation the much loved Ba-Lee Lodges that have been part of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre for over 15 years received a makeover. The facility provides vital accommodation to patients during their treatment, providing a home away from home.

The units received refurbishments to the inside and the outdoor garden space was upgraded to create a calm, welcoming space for patients to relax.

Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre and Cancer Services is a comprehensive, integrated service providing world class cancer care for adults across the Victorian Southwest region.

The program includes:

- Specialist medical oncology, haematology and radiation oncology program

- Dedication inpatient oncology ward

- Refurbished day ward and oncology pharmacy

- Hospital in the home program to provide care at home where possible

- Broad allied health services including physio, dietetics, speech pathology, psychology and specialist dental support

- Supportive Care Program with a Wellness Lounge

- Clinical Trials Unit providing access to cutting edge treatments

- Accommodation units for patients and carers needing to travel to attend treatment

- Exercise therapy program

This year, with your help we are fundraising to support the continuation of comfort and care therapies and wellness programs delivered across Barwon Health Cancer Services. The therapies include exercise therapy and art therapy which provide patients receiving treatment both as inpatients and day stay patients with physical, mental and emotional health benefits.

The funds will also support activities within the Wellness Lounge. The Wellness Lounge provides a space for patients and their families to seek support, comfort and simply retreat and relax.

The Lounge is a place to have a cup of tea, wait for your appointments in a comfortable environment or simply have a chat with the wellness team.

It is a beautiful, relaxing and welcoming space.

Each year, Barwon Health care for and treats over 20,000 patients from the Geelong and Victorian Southwest Region with 2,400 being new patients.

For more information about Barwon Health’s Cancer Services please visit www.barwonhealth.org.au/cancer-services/

Your fundraising for Dry July has enabled the Andrew Love Cancer Centre to fund wellness programs including oncology massage, exercise therapy, yoga and art therapy.

Wellness programs are an integral part of a patients care alongside their treatment. Therapies such as oncology massage and yoga provide relaxation and through research has proven to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, nausea and depression.

Art therapy provides both inpatient and day stay patients a distraction from their treatment and allows them an outlet of expression which reduces stress and anxiety.

On behalf of all the patients and Cancer Centre staff at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Steve Morgan woke from an 11 hour surgery to remove his oesophageal cancer to discover his wife Sophie had given birth to their newborn daughter just down the hallway.

In the maternity wing of University Hospital Geelong arrived Georgie, two weeks early and a ray of sunshine during a challenging time. 

“The nurses from the maternity ward arranged for Sophie and Georgie to visit me in ICU at about 11.30pm and we were able to have a cuddle and photos,” says Steve. “Apparently having a newborn visit their dad in ICU was a hospital first.”

The Highton dad’s cancer journey began with severe stomach pains in August 2019.

The discomfort came out of nowhere, persisted for a few days and steadily got worse. 

He went to emergency twice and eventually had an exploratory gastroscopy.

The following afternoon he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. 

“As a healthy 38 year old non-smoker and limited drinker with previous good health this was obviously a big shock,” he says. 

“Interestingly the doctor could not find a link between my stomach pain and the cancer. It seems it was an incidental finding which likely saved my life - a good lesson to always get checked out by a doctor when you are sick, and keep going back if you don’t get better.”

Thankfully, Steve’s cancer was in the early stages but he still required a major surgery to remove the cancerous area along with a large portion of his oesophagus and some of his stomach which was scheduled for two weeks later. 

An infection and subsequent complications saw an expected two week hospital stay extend to two months followed by Hospital in the Home care. 

Now, he is cancer free, back at work, exercising well, managing fatigue and food better each month.

“Most importantly, I’m playing with Georgie and Emilia just like a normal dad,” he says. 

Steve is under no illusions that the care he received at Barwon Health gave him that gift which is why this year, he has signed on as a Dry July ambassador.

“The fact that I could have major surgery, access to quality intensive care and the availability of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre just 10 minutes from home can’t be underestimated,” he says. 

“Cancer touches everyone in some way so being involved or donating to Dry July will have a positive impact on everyone at some stage of their lives, whether it be themselves or a loved one. 

“I can’t think of anything more important than improving local care for those experiencing serious health issues and would encourage everyone to fundraise or donate their time or money in any way they can.”

Sign up at dryjuly.com and select Andrew Love Cancer Centre to ensure funds raised support your local health service. Head here to read Steve's full story: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/steves-story