Kate Walsh’s breast cancer diagnosis came 16 years ago in 2004, when she was just 29. Following intensive treatment, Kate describes herself as “free and clear” of the disease. That changed 11 years later when she was devastatingly re-diagnosed in 2015. This time her breast cancer has metastasized.

Together with her husband, Darren and two young children – Lexie, a nine year old daughter and seven year old Archie – Kate has been navigating COVID-19 and the impact the pandemic has on their daily lives.

Her breast cancer continues to be treated through regular oncology appointments and chemotherapy treatments at Bendigo Health, and Darren takes care of the shopping and other errands so that Kate can avoid public places and the increased risk of infection.

A Cancer Wellness program, funded by Dry July, has run yoga therapy sessions which Kate describes as “Awesome” and as something she can’t wait to return to once restrictions are eased “I am desperate to get back there, it is just so good for my mind and managing anxiety. Every day I wake up knowing that I have cancer. Yoga just helps to be able to manage that, especially in this current environment.” Kate said.

Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Coordinator, Jenna Sing, - a position also funded through Dry July – has developed innovative ways to provide additional support to vulnerable cancer patients during the coronavirus pandemic. “In these unprecedented times we are looking at how we best support our patients,” Jenna said.

“Many have been able to mentally cope with their cancer diagnosis, but now face added stressors. One initiative we are implementing is delivering boxes of locally sourced fresh fruit and veggies to ease the stress of going to grocery store. I have received really lovely feedback from patients, like Kate, who have greatly appreciated this gesture.” added Jenna.

For Kate’s family the timing was perfect, “It was unbelievable. It was just what we needed at the time.” Said Kate.

Thanks to funding received from Dry July, Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Coordinator, Jenna Sing, together with the Fundraising & Foundation team have developed innovative ways to support the most vulnerable cancer patients amid the current pandemic.

We are so excited announce that our newly appointed Cancer Centre Wellness Coordinator, Jenna Sing, began with Bendigo Health this week (w/c 19 January, 2020). Jenna is such a beautiful person, whose enthusiasm for supporting people dealing with cancer and her extensive experience in oncology are without doubt going to make her perfect for the role. Jenna has already developed a calendar of activities for patients and is looking at a range of new programs to implement. She has expressed her thanks to the Dry July participants for raising the funds to support her role and has offered some words below;

‘It is with great excitement that I begin my new role as the Cancer Wellness Co-Ordinator at Bendigo Health. After working within the oncology setting for many years, it’s a lovely transition to now be able to offer holistic care to cancer patients through funds raised by Dry July participants. The funding will go a long way in creating positive outcomes for our patients though the use of complementary therapies such as oncology massage, yoga classes, pet therapy and mindfulness sessions. I can’t thank Dry July Foundation enough for contributing enormously to the success of Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Program and investing in its future‘. 

We're pleased to announce that Bendigo Health has received an additional grant from the Dry July Foundation October grant round. to go towards the Wellness Program.

Wellness programs are paramount in cancer care to support both the physical and emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our patients. This additional grant will help expand the Wellness Program to incorporate a coordinator to act as a central point of contact to connect patients and determine the best therapies to support their care based on individual requirements. 

Funds raised from Dry July 2019 will go towards a Wellness Program at Bendigo Health's Cancer Centre.

The new Wellness Program will incorporate oncology massage, cancer rehabilitation, yoga, meditation, music and pet therapy and, importantly, a coordinator to connect our patients to the services that best meets their physical and emotional needs.

More than a quarter of a million people in central Victoria rely on Bendigo Health when they need specialist treatment and care. Developing a Wellness Program will bring the Cancer Centre in line with other regional and metropolitan Cancer Centres and provide our patients with access to programs that will promote peer support and reduce some of the burden of the disease.

A Wellness Program provides evidenced based benefits which are provided in the safety of the cancer centre and knowledge of the treating clinicians. The cancer centre recently conducted a survey of our patients to better understand their preference for wellness programs.

The patients of the Bendigo Cancer Centre identified oncology massage, exercise and meditation as the top therapies that they would recommend to those diagnosed with cancer.