Helping people affected by cancer

Jessica's Story

I was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 Rectal cancer in December 2020. This is my second bowel cancer diagnosis; I was also diagnosed with Stage 1 in 2012.

Nothing prepares you for that feeling of being completely overwhelmed with the fear of what is to come. Will I be alive long enough to watch my son grow up? Will I be on chemo for life? Will I ever get to remission?

Cancer during a pandemic adds another level to the treatment. I spent over 50 days in hospital over the past 12 months, mostly alone due to restrictions.

Many times, I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, the treatment was brutal on my body and my mind. I had surgery complications, went into menopause and now have lasting side effects from the treatment.

But I did it! I made...

Danny's Story

An avid hiker and alcohol free for nearly eight years, Danny never expected to have breast cancer. But in late 2019, the unexpected became reality, when what Danny thought was a benign cyst in his chest was officially diagnosed as breast cancer.

Danny, 46 years old, has always lived a busy and active lifestyle, living by the beach in Rye and spending time with his family and friends. For years there had been a small lump in the left side of his chest, which he had had checked out previously and was dismissed as nothing to worry about. When he was back at the doctor a few years later, Danny thought he may as well get it looked at again while he was there, eventually leading to an ultrasound and biopsy.

It was on Christmas Eve in 2019 that...

John's Story

The Perth father-of-three was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44 and underwent a robotic prostatectomy.

“I had no symptoms, but prostate cancer runs in my family, my dad and uncle were both diagnosed. My mum asked me to get my prostate levels checked, and after quite a bit of nagging, I went to my GP and got the test. We decided to just keep an eye on it. It was a horrible time for us, it was the worst feeling … not knowing. I had a tumour inside my body, could I potentially die? There were many sleepless nights and worry. About five months later my PSA readings went through the roof – from a 3 to a 7, which is what you might find in a 70-year-old, as levels increase with age. For men my age, the average PSA is usually between 0...

Prue's Story

“Imagine being told your child was going to pass away within two years if a transplant wasn’t successful — and then being told that you’re the donor.”

That was the reality for Prue from Townsville, mother of Chase, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer, at just four years of age in December 2018.

Chase was not experiencing any common warning signs. "The first signs of illness were fevers and night sweats. These started on a Monday and they were a high 39+ for the days that followed," Prue recalls.

"By Sunday afternoon the fevers were 40+ and Panadol/Nurofen were no longer working. I decided enough was enough.... We headed to the hospital for some test results, hoping to be back by dinner time that...

So proud of our Dry July Fundraisers

A huge thank you to our wonderful Dry July Fundraisers and supporters.

We wanted to give you an update on previous Dry July projects that were funded by our wonderful Dry July fundraisers and their supporters.

2021

Bladder Scanner for C1East the Oncology Inpatient Unit.

Our Oncology nurses were saying that they had to borrow a bladder scanner from another ward whenever they needed to use it. Bladder scanners allow nursing staff to scan and assess the amount of urine in the bladder on the spot in real time. Oncology patients require bladder assessments due to unique Cancer treatments that may affect the bladder directly.

Patients suffering urinary retention often caused by, obstruction, disease, infection (common in Oncology patients) can...

Bendigo Mayor joins Bendigo Health Dry July team

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf has signed on with Bendigo Health for this year’s Dry July.

Cr Metcalf said she was pleased to support the Cancer Wellness Centre which provides activities to improve the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of cancer patients and their carers.

“It’s a great asset for our community and a place that allows someone with cancer the time and space to just be and not think about their diagnosis,” she said.

“As a non-drinker, I’m going choc-free this July and in doing so am honouring my cousin and a neighbour who both lost their battles with cancer in the past 12 months.”

Bendigo Heritage Attractions Chief Executive Officer James Reade has also signed on with Bendigo Health’s Dry July team.

Mr...

Tracey’s fundraising to help provide support services to more cancer patients and their families in WA

Tracey Wheat lost her best friend (and Mother) nearly 14 years ago from lung cancer and knows many people with cancer journeys. Having lived in the north west of WA for a very long time and seen the negative effects of alcohol, Tracey was encouraged by her son to try it after having done it several times himself. Tracey feels ‘It’s time for me to do my bit’.

Lets get behind Tracey to raise vital funds so that support services are available to more people in WA. Donate today: https://www.dryjuly.com/users/tracey-wheat

St Vincent’s ED team go dry for July

Members of the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Emergency Department (ED) team have opted to ‘go dry’ throughout July to support patients being treated for cancer at St Vincent’s.

Team leader, Stephanie Beckman, said various members of the ED team have participated in Dry July over the last few years. “I’m a part of the Staff Wellbeing Group and Dry July has been a terrific campaign for us to get involved with, not only from a health perspective but because it’s for such a good cause.”

Steph has been a nurse at St Vincent’s for five years. She says the ED team are the best group she’s ever worked with because they’re collaborative. “The nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists, ward clerks and the alert team all work as one, big, collaborate...

Music therapy program hits the right note for Julie

It seemed to be just a normal Friday for Julie, when she suddenly noticed a rash appear on her legs. Julie went to her GP to get blood tests taken – the following Tuesday she was admitted to The Alfred.

Julie and her family then received the unexpected news that she had adult acute myeloid leukemia,a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells.

Sitting in the ward worried about the diagnosis and upcoming treatment, Julie took a breath and heard music very faintly in the background. This was Lucy’s harp playing, made possible thanks to the music therapy program funded through Dry July.

“Immediately I felt more relaxed about the treatment and journey ahead. The music was just beautiful; it was so...