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.

Bendigo Health hosted a Dry July launch event in the Cancer Centre on 1st July, organised by the wonderful Cancer Centre staff,  with all their ambassadors in attendance. Dr Rob Blum played piano and even Delta Dog (pet therapy) was there! A yellow blanket of flowers greeted everyone (and was sold off at $5 donation per bunch!) and CEO and Director of the Cancer Centre, Leanne Anderson, gave a great speech.  Smoothie shots were circulating and a great time was had by all. Channel 9 played a clip on the day that you can see HERE

Thank you to everyone who attended and made donations on the day. You can make donations to Bendigo Health by clicking on the 

Our Cancer Centre’s Dry July team, led this year by Narelle McPhee, hosted their first fundraiser with 'soup for staff' raising a whopping $387.60.

This has kicked off Narelle and Karen’s fundraising beautifully and set the scene for our continued Dry July promotion at Bendigo Health. 

If you'd like to sign up to Dry July and raise funds for Bendigo Health, please click HERE. If you like, you can also join the Bendigo Health Team HERE! Alternatively, to make a donation to Bendigo Health, please click the big blue button to your left! Thank you for your support!

Images attached - Narelle McPhee – Manager Cancer Research, Karen Wellington – Nurse Unit Manager, Cancer Centre, Rachel Mason – Fundraising & Foundation Manager, Robyn Lindsay – Executive Director, Clinical Operations. 

We're proud to announce that Bendigo Health has received a grant from the Dry July Foundation 2018 Grant Program.

The grant will go towards the following: 

• Upgrades to Lucan Street cancer patient accommodation including new lighting and fittings, a new recliners for cancer patients, to make the accommodation more comfortable

Thanks to funds raised through Dry July 2018, Bendigo Health will be upgrading their Lucan Street Cancer Patient Accommodation.

The accommodation is essential and used by patients that have to travel long distances to receive cancer treatment. It is imperative to provide a comfortable and homely setting where they can rest and read.  

The 6 units are booked constantly and operate year round to provide this reasonably priced accommodation to assist families at a time when they are dealing with the challenges of their treatment and away from home.This service is greatly appreciated by patients who have stayed and their loved ones.

Improving the surrounds and setting helps them feel safe and comfortable.

The Lucan Street property with its close proximity to the Hospital is our busiest cancer accommodation property running at around 80% occupancy year round. On average there is some 1752 room nights produced by the 6 units at the Lucan Street property on a yearly basis.