Thanks to the support of Dry July and our generous community, the Cancer Wellness Centre at Grampians Health in Ballarat has continued to provide education and support for hundreds of cancer patients and their families in 2025.

The Wellness Centre hosts 28 different programs, all free of charge, to all cancer pateints in the region, to ensure there are no barriers to participation. Programs include educational programs, one-on-one sessions and peer support groups.

For 2025, we were able to provide the following:

• Support groups: Young person support group, Prostate Support Group, Bowel Cancer Support Group, Brain Cancer Support Group, Blokes and a BBQ, Cancer Chicks Cuppa and chat, Carers Support Group, Crochet Group, Meditation, Sexuality and Intimacy information sessions, Tai Chi, Walking Group, Coping with Cancer, Look Good, Feel Better

• Yoga Services (48 sessions p.a.)

• Acupuncture (384 appointments p.a.)

• Art therapy (48 sessions p.a.)

• Bra fittings (84 sessions p.a.)

• Therapy dogs (96 sessions p.a.)

• Financial Advice (36 sessions p.a.)

• Oncology Massage (816 appointments p.a.)

• Shiatsu (336 appointments)

• Wig Library.

Just as importantly, we provide a home-like setting away from the busy clinical areas of the hospital. It is a place to rest and be supported by our wonderful Wellness Centre Manager, Simone, our volunteers, and the peer support of others also on a cancer journey.

Demand for Wellness Centre Services is strong. In the past year, 343 new patients registered at the Wellness Centre (increased demand from last year). An average of 80-people use the Centre every week, in the seven weeks we have been open this year, we have had 560 people use the Centre.

Main cancer types are (in order): breast, prostate, bowel, lung, blood, brain, and head and neck.

Additional funding from Dry July has helped us purchase treatment chairs in the Chemotherapy Day Unit, supporting patient care and treatment.