Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital

Thank you for taking on the 2024 Dry July challenge and supporting Calvary Mater Newcastle. A fabulous total of $29,983.13 was raised thanks to Dry Julyers support.

This has enabled the hospital to fund projects and equipment that assist our patients, their families and carers, toward a more comfortable experience during and following their cancer treatment. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Calvary Mater Newcastle was able to purchase the following items and projects:

• New assistive equipment and pressure care items for the hospital’s Oncology Loan Pool Equipment.

• Refresh/renovate the Ward 5B (Oncology) family waiting room

• Mercy Hospice Arts Health ‘Changeable Art Installation’ - Promoting Connection through Legacy Creation, Meaning Making and Story Telling for patients living with cancer and other life limiting illness and their families

• Caring in the Metaverse: Mercy Hospice Mixed Reality Project for Cancer Patients and their Carers – the purchase of two virtual reality headsets for patients and carers to experience ‘world travel’ and ‘relaxation’

On behalf of all the patients and staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.

The impact your dedication and generosity has had by participating in Dry July cannot be underestimated.

Thank you.

With help from Dry July funding, the Surgical Outpatient Services McGrath Breast Care Nurses have been able to purchase post-operative surgical bras.

McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Rebecca Chenery, explained the bras are designed specifically for women undergoing surgery for breast cancer and breast reconstructive surgery.

“An important aspect of breast cancer survivorship for women is wearing a comfortable bra that provides comfort and support for their post-treatment bodies,” she said.

“There are many physical changes that occur with breast cancer treatment such as painful surgical scars, swelling and sensitivity after radiation therapy treatment. A correctly fitted post-surgical bra can help to reduce the incidence of complications as well as minimise pain and discomfort.”

Cancer treatment can be a financial burden to patients and their families. Offering a post-operative bra to those in need can make a huge difference.

“Thank you Dry July for assisting our patients in their healing and recovery. Our patients are very appreciative.”

The funds will help Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital purchase new chemotherapy treatment chairs, post-operative bras for women undergoing surgery for breast cancer, and enhanced and updated equipment for the Occupational Therapy Oncology Equipment Loan Program.

The upgrades and services directly benefit and assist in the comfort and care of the patients and their families.

The Occupational Therapy (OT) Department continues to provide a valuable and free Oncology Loan Pool service to all patients receiving oncology or haematology treatment at Calvary Mater Newcastle.

In 2022, the Oncology Loan Pool was able to assist 332 people living with cancer thanks to the generous support of Dry July funding.

The department’s extensive loan pool includes nearly 900 items and has expanded its range to include over 90 different styles. Having these items gives OT staff the opportunity to trial equipment to find the most comfortable and appropriate way to support patients’ independence, avoiding delays and costly home modifications. 

Donna Waldron, Occupational Therapy Technical Assistant, says, “Our patients are consistently very grateful for the provision of equipment from the Oncology Loan Pool to assist in their discharge home or support them to remain at home. They are also pleasantly surprised we are able to offer this as a free service, with the contributions we have received from Dry July funding. Undergoing treatment and recovery from cancer can be a financially challenging time, and having access to the free Oncology Loan Pool assists in alleviating some of this burden.

Donna continues, “In Radiation Oncology outpatients it is almost weekly that you get to witness the visible and enthusiastic relief that patients feel when provided with pressure care and comfort equipment, particularly to off-load tender and vulnerable treatment areas. Many patients report that it has allowed them to more comfortably manage the trip to treatment.”

One such patient that has been provided with a range of Oncology Loan Pool equipment, including a wheelchair and pressure reducing cushion, comments, “I am using quite a few bits and it has all been very useful. The equipment makes it easier and helps make things more accessible. I think this is a very good thing to have for people to access.”

Another patient who is over the moon about their Oncology Loan Pool items said, “The cushion is bloody marvellous, I haven’t been comfortable for months and I’d tried everything. I use it to sit and can also get comfortable in bed now. It’s amazing.” 

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge and supporting Calvary Mater Newcastle this year. We are delighted to announce that with your help Calvary Mater Newcastle raised an astounding $27,113.

We are beyond grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication. By taking part in Dry July, you’ve enabled the hospital to fund projects and equipment that assist our patients, their families and carers, toward a more comfortable experience during and following their cancer treatment. 

Your fundraising for Dry July this year has enabled Calvary Mater Newcastle to purchase

• New assistive equipment and pressure care items for the hospital’s Oncology Loan Pool Equipment. The Oncology Loan Pool provides free short term loan equipment to assist patients when they are discharged home or supports them to remain at home while receiving cancer treatment. These specialised equipment items are aimed at maximising a patient’s independence and safety, reduce the impact of symptoms (e.g. pain, breathlessness, pressure injuries), assist with supporting carers with fulfilling their carer role safely and enable patient’s to remain at home for as long as possible. Undergoing treatment and recovery from cancer can be a financially challenging time, and having access to the free Oncology Loan Pool assists in alleviating some of this burden.

• Five new adjustable high-level chairs for the Medical Centre Waiting Room.

As you can see, this funding will allow us to update and enhance a wide variety of equipment that will help make our patient’s more comfortable. The impact your dedication and generosity has had by participating in Dry July cannot be underestimated.

On behalf of all the patients and staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.