Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong

For Tom, April 2023 marked one year, all clear. Now the cancer survivor is taking on the Dry July challenge to support those on a similar journey.

Tom is a father-of-three and is one half of the Geelong local duo behind boutique marketing agency Passionfolk.

On March 1, 2022, Tom went to a GP for a general check-up and, while there, enquired about doing a bowel test. Though he was deemed low risk, the experiences of his two cousins motivated him to pursue it for peace of mind.

He submitted the test on March 11 and 26 days later a colonoscopy revealed a 5cm cancerous tumour. Just three weeks after that he underwent a 4.5 hour surgery to remove the contained, stage one growth with a successful outcome.

Tom is sharing his story to promote the importance of early detection and to assist in making the journey better for others.

Sharon is a Gold Coast resident who is travelling down to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre to take part in a clinical trial to best support her treatment.

Sharon and her husband Ken have been staying in the St Mary’s Apartments. The apartments are a free patient accommodation located across the road from University Hospital Geelong.

With the funds raised through Dry July, the team have been able to purchase new mattresses for all the beds of the rooms to ensure the beds are comfortable for patients and their families during their stay.

Providing a comfortable – “home-like” environment is really important for the apartments as patients will often spend quite some time here.

Sharon and Ken recently spent 11 nights in the apartment as part of Sharon’s treatment plan.

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/