This anonymous donor vowed to match all donations made to participants supporting Bendigo Health up until the 1st of August, and added a very generous personal donation!

Funds raised from Bendigo Health's Dry July Fundraiser go towards it’s Cancer Wellness Program; a program which supports the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of people affected by cancer. These therapeutic program activities (such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, oncology massage, walking groups and dog therapy) aim to enhance the lives of people affected by cancer as they endure a difficult time. The funds will also help establish a dedicated Wellness Centre within the hospital precinct to take undertake Program activities and time out for relaxation and reflection.

Thank you so much to Bendigo Health's incredible Dry Julyers and the wonderful anonymous donor for their fantastic donation to support wellness at Bendigo Health’s Cancer Centre to help people affected by cancer.

Check out Bendigo Health's Dry July Fundraising Page here: www.dryjuly.com/beneficiaries/bendigohealth

You can read more here

Thanks to the generosity of a wonderful donor, we're thrilled to announce that every donation made to Bendigo Health’s 2020 Dry July campaign before 1st August will be DOUBLED! 

 As you probably know, everything Bendigo Health raises through Dry July will go directly towards its Cancer Wellness Program and establishing a dedicated stand-alone Wellness Centre within the hospital precinct. 

So please ask your friends, family and workmates to dig deep and donate to your Dry July page to help us raise as much as possible!

Watch this short clip with Bendigo Health’s Cancer Wellness Coordinator, Jenna Sing, explaining more about the program and plans for the Wellness Centre. We’d love you to share this with your networks too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESG-IhtZoUU&feature=youtu.be 

Cancer Care Coordinator at Bendigo Health, Jenna Sing, has established a pet therapy program, personally adopting a black Labrador named Sharlee and achieving her public access license for an assistance dog! Jenna explained, “Pet therapy within cancer setting is extremely beneficial for oncology patients as it has the ability reduce stress and anxiety often associated with medical appointments and cancer treatment. Sharlee our pet therapy dog provides a calming presence within the Cancer Centre waiting room and it’s a valued member of the Cancer Centre team”

Sharlee has been in the Cancer Centre a total of 4 times and on Friday a patients didn’t even say hello to me, he just straight away said “Where is Sharlee?” This made me so happy as I wasn’t sure how well received she would be with the pandemic situation but patients are very receptive of her presence within the Cancer Centre.  

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Jenna, has also sent a lovely video to introduce Bendigo Health supporters to the new Cancer Wellness Centre. You can see the video HERE and can find more information about the Wellness Program HERE  

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.