Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong

Patients will now have a brand new car to get to their appointments at Barwon Health thanks to a brand new car funded by the Dry July Foundation.

The new car has been added to the Volunteer Transport Program at Barwon Health and will help those patients who need assistance to reach their life-saving appointments and treatment at Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

In 2017, Dry July donated more than $154,000 for the comfort and care of cancer patients at Barwon Health. Some of the items funded this year have included exercise therapy, a patient art program, music therapy, nutrition support and edible gardens, carer support and massage.

Dry July Foundation CEO & Co-Founder, Brett Macdonald, believes the new car will make a big difference to cancer patients and is exactly what Dry July is about,

“The Dry July Foundation is proud to have funded the volunteer patient vehicle for patients of Andrew Love Cancer Centre. This vehicle will help patients be transported to and from their chemotherapy/radiation therapy appointments and their homes.

The new Dry July vehicle means an extra 200 patients a year will be able to use the transport service offered by Andrew Love Cancer Centre, helping to reduce the stress associated with getting to and from appointments. This will help improve the wellbeing of people affected by cancer, which is what Dry July is all about. 

Thank you to the Dry July participants who helped raise the funds for the vehicle – your fundraising is making a real difference to cancer patients and their families in your local community.” 

The brand new Subaru was also part of this fundraising and grant program in 2017.

Andrew Love Cancer Centre continues to provide diaries to patients who are attending chemotherapy treatment to assist with their scheduling of appointments both medical and personal to alleviate the stress of the complex appointment schedules. These diaries have been made possible through Dry July funding for a few years now.

Emily, pictured here, says 'During my treatment I have found the diary really useful during my chemotherapy and subsequent surgery for keeping track of appointments and phone numbers for any questions I have during my treatment journey.'

Thanks to Dry July, the Andrew Love Cancer Centre in Geelong has been able to offer expressive art classes as part of the Supportive Care Centre. Patient feedback on these sessions has been very positive.

“I came in feeling heavy & we are leaving feeling lighter because of the art therapy”

“The session has opened my thinking, making me look at the situation in a different and more positive way.”

“The class has allowed me to share with others and helped me with ways to deal with things”.

I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Physiotherapy Assistant on the Oncology ward. The program has allowed me try things I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, knowing she was there to support me and guide me through the program. She was able to spend time with me to extend on exercises, allow me extra mobility practice and other therapeutic techniques such as yoga breathing and mindfulness strategies to gain confidence in my own abilities. I have appreciated her hard work, patience and knowledge. She is confident in her interactions and I have enjoyed working with her on a personal level.

Julie

Dry July has provided funding toward the upgrade to the centre. Scott, a brain cancer survivor endorses the centre:

“The clinicians and support staff at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre have all been great. Their support has helped me get through a very tough time. They are always checking in on me and making sure my treatment is going well. This redevelopment will make a big difference to patients just like me, but also all the staff there.”

Scott is currently undergoing 12 months of chemotherapy through the Andrew Love Cancer Centre and has regular meetings and appointments with support staff clinicians, including Professor David Ashley.

“My focus right now is on my health for the sake of my family, and I'm confident I can keep fighting this, and I'm hopeful that one day we can live in a cancer-free world,” he said