Bendigo Health

Dry July 2025 funds will allow the purchase of equipment and resources for cancer exercise therapy at Bendigo Health Cancer Centre.

"We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Dry July this year. The funds that were raised through Dry July enabled us to purchase dedicated rehab and exercise equipment to empower patients to take an active role in their recovery, supporting both their physical and emotional health.

Exercise and rehabilitation are vital in helping patients rebuild strength, manage fatigue, and improve overall wellbeing during and after cancer treatment. 

The funds raised through Dry July will make a real difference — giving local patients access to the tools they need to regain strength, confidence, and independence."

- Chris White, Director of Bendigo Health’s Cancer Centre

Bendigo Health has identified several opportunities to improve support amongst people affected by cancer, particularly in the areas of rehabilitation and supportive care.

These projects focus on expanding and upgrading vital resources that support patients throughout their treatment and recovery journey.

The projects aim to offer the best outcomes, supporting patients’ ability to recover from the side effects of treatment, maintain independence and improve their quality of life during and after their cancer occurrence.

Kellianne (Kel) McMahon never sought the spotlight. For 34 years, she devoted herself to caring for others as a midwife at Bendigo Health, spending 20 of those years in the Special Care Nursery. Quietly and with unwavering dedication, she nurtured premature babies, supported families through their toughest moments and mentored colleagues with kindness and wisdom.

In 2007, Kel was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the years, she faced each recurrence with calm determination. Despite surgeries, treatments and setbacks, Kel refused to let her illness define her. She kept embracing life. She kept working. She kept caring.

“She never complained,” her husband Tim recalled. “Illness was something to manage. Her focus was always on getting back to work. When that was no longer possible, we travelled and made memories together.”

From African adventures to watching the Northern Lights in Finland, the passionate AFL Saint’s fan embraced life to the full. Kel passed away in February 2025, just one month before her 60th birthday and shortly after learning she would become a grandmother.

Tim said Kel never sought attention and would have likely been embarrassed by the crowd at her funeral. Yet, she never shied away from facing what needed to be done. Quietly strong, compassionate and capable, she made a lasting impression on everyone who crossed her path.

To honour Kel’s enduring spirit and strength, Tim created Kel’s Sober Saints, a Dry July team that has to-date raised thousands to support cancer services at Bendigo Health.

“I spent nearly a year as Kel’s fulltime carer. After she passed, I had so much to give and nowhere to put it. This was my way to keep moving forward,” Tim said.

Kel’s legacy lives on through her family and the grandson she never met, her friends and colleagues. You can contribute to that legacy by donating to Kel’s Sober Saints before 31 August to support cancer services at Bendigo Health. 

Visit: Support Kel’s Sober Saints this Dry July and make a donation.

Samara’s diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APML) came almost by accident.

The thorough medical practitioner sent her for a multitude of routine blood tests, along with an egg count, with the aim of analyzing her reproductive health. However, within a matter of hours of testing he instead directed Samara to go immediately to Bendigo Health’s Emergency Department due to extremely low blood counts, which she hoped could be a mistake.

“I was definitely scared, I had my mum and dad drive me to ED, but I felt fine and didn’t understand the urgency, I’d been physically tired but looking back there were definitely signs I missed.” Samara says.

 Within a few days she had been diagnosed with APML, a rare but serious type of acute myeloid leukemia, “If untreated it can be fatal within one month, but if caught quickly it responds really well to treatment. They caught it early, it was just lucky my doctor ordered those blood tests.“ said Samara.

Samara was rushed to Melbourne for four weeks of intensive treatment before she returned to Bendigo saying she was “technically in remission”.

The staff at Bendigo Health’s Cancer Centre oversaw her remaining four rounds of treatments, occurring daily for four weeks on and four weeks off. Samara describes them as amazing, “I couldn’t fault the nurses they’re so easy going and made me feel so calm and comfortable. I had some adverse side effects, which they really responded to, pausing my treatment to ensure they got it right.”

“It wasn’t easy being there daily, but the staff made it so much easier. They’re serious about their jobs but in a really light hearted way that made it so much easier for me to want to attend.” Said Samara.

Samara had her final treatment in May 2025, having her PICC line removed 8 months to the day since it was inserted.

Funds from Bendigo Health’s 2025 Dry July campaign will improve the experience and outcomes for cancer patients by enhancing the equipment and support available through our Cancer Centre, community oncology program and cancer exercise rehabilitation program.

Deanna Keogh has nursed aged care and palliative patients at Bendigo Health’s for 45 years. Dea accidently came into palliative care nursing when Bendigo Health established its first hospice at the aged care facility she was then working in, “I knew in my gut it would be a wonderful opportunity when I was asked to work in end of life care, unlike many other staff who ran for the hills! I had recently lost my mother and found it quite cathartic after her death”.

25 years later, Dea continues to provide the quality of care for which she and her colleagues are renowned.

“It is our patients that are always in our thoughts, their families too. We remember many special people who have stories to tell, examples of great bravery, generosity and humour. We are privileged to be in their lives and deaths and are proud of our unit and the care we deliver. Our staff are always trying to be better and offer soft place to fall”.

“We see patients from across our region – Boort, Charlton, Echuca you name it – and we work hard to make the unit a comfortable and non-clinical space. But after 24 years in the same building, the place needs an update. We want to provide a home-like environment where people can feel most comfortable and it’s the smallest things can make such a difference to patients and also make it easier for the families to grieve.”

Funds from Bendigo Health’s Dry July campaign will support upgrades to Bendigo Health’s Palliative Care unit, including internal painting and new flooring.