Central Coast LHD - CoastCanCare

Thanks to the support from the 2026 Dry July campaign Central Coast Local Health District will be able to enhance the CoastCanCare program, providing greater comfort, wellbeing and support for people affected by cancer.

Funds raised will support a range of wellbeing initiatives, including free exercise physiology and art therapy classes, a beverage bay for the new cancer inpatient unit at Gosford Hospital, calming wall art in the new cancer day unit at Wyong Hospital and book-swap libraries for patients and their families.

These projects will help create a more welcoming environment, support patients' physical and emotional wellbeing, and improve the experience of cancer treatment and recovery.

"Thanks to your support, Central Coast Local Health District’s CoastCanCare program will continue to grow our free exercise and art classes for patients. 

The impact of these programs has been amazing. Moving forward, your support will help us offer even more for our patients’ wellbeing by developing book-borrowing libraries at all our sites. 

This will give patients and carers free access to important resources on wellbeing and encouragement for their cancer journey, along with the latest bestsellers for entertainment while they sit through long treatments. We are so thankful for our Dry July supporters."

Matt Sproats, Cancer Services Operations Manager

The new and expanding Coast CanCare wellness, recovery and rehabilitation program was a hit with local cancer patients in 2025. Patients were invited to register for free, small-group classes in exercise physiology and/or watercolour painting. The small class size ensured that the activities were tailored to the best benefit of each patient.

Exercise physiology classes were held at the Woy Woy Hospital campus, led by Physiotherapist, Eve. Exercise can help cancer patients both during and after treatment. It reduces fatigue, improves energy and makes everyday tasks easier. It can help reduce side-effects of cancer treatment and offer mental health benefits like better sleep, less anxiety, and improved quality of life.

One participant said, “I am still having ongoing treatment and was initially attracted to the exercise program to help me lose weight as ongoing cancer medications had caused weight gain. Not only have I lost 5 kg during the 6-week exercise program, it has improved my quality of life, mood, strength, fitness and confidence.” 

Free watercolour classes were facilitated by the Central Coast Watercolour Society with instructor Marlene at The Entrance. Participants said what they enjoyed most was the chance to try new skills in a setting that is soothing and social.

One participant said, “It was so fabulous – thank you for running this class. It was a breath of fresh air, a chance to get out and do something new, have fun, meet new people, feel proud of myself for something after feeling pretty low this whole year.” 

Thank you to our Dry July supporters and the Dry July Foundation for your continued support and for helping us provide the best possible care for local cancer patients.

Exercise can help cancer patients both during and after treatment. It reduces fatigue, improves energy and makes everyday tasks easier. It can help reduce side-effects of cancer treatment and offer mental health benefits like better sleep, less anxiety, and improved quality of life.

“In addition to physical and mental health benefits, joining an exercise group with other people who have had cancer can help build a support network and reduce loneliness and isolation. Sometimes catching up with others becomes the motivation to attend class!” said Sharon Czerniec, A/Cancer Services Innovation Manager for Central Coast Local Health District and Conjoint Lecturer at University of Newcastle.

Sharon has led CoastCanCare exercise physiology sessions, so she knows motivation is key.

“Although the benefits of exercise in cancer care are well known, getting started can be difficult. Sometimes people may not have taken part in an exercise program before and don’t know how to begin. Fear of causing harm or making symptoms (like fatigue) worse can become a barrier. Even regular gym-goers can feel unsure of how to return to exercise after months of cancer treatment,” she said.

With CoastCanCare, our exercise programs are developed as part of comprehensive cancer care and supervised by an exercise professional to help overcome these barriers. Our CoastCanCare facilitators can provide guidance, support, and encouragement in a safe environment. Exercises can be adapted and progressed according to each participant’s ability, while also considering the effects of their cancer and its treatments.

“Exercise is a great way to become fitter and stronger, which can help people regain a sense of control during a challenging time. Experiencing improvements in daily life can be very motivating,” said Sharon.

We thank our Dry July donors for supporting CoastCanCare exercise programs to help local patients live well with cancer.

CoastCanCare offers wellness, recovery and rehabilitation programs for individuals who have cancer or are post-cancer treatment. While most health services are focused on diagnosis and treatment of cancer, this program seeks to support individuals with cancer during and after treatment so they can continue to live a full life.

Since last year’s project, our Cancer Services team have established a new multi-disciplinary Steering Committee to deliver CoastCanCare in an expanded capacity. The Committee will plan the programs to be scalable, so the more funds we receive, the longer or more frequently we can offer sessions.

The Committee will ensure that the program is regularly reviewed and evaluated to maximise positive health outcomes for participants. The program development and delivery will also be guided by input and feedback from attendees and our Cancer Services Consumer Committee.

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge and supporting the Central Coast Local Health District’s CoastCanCare Wellness Program this year. We are delighted to announce that with your help, the CoastCanCare Wellness Program raised an astounding $17,922.57.

We are beyond grateful for your fundraising efforts, dedication and generosity which has enabled the Central Coast Local Health District to continue offering free wellbeing and recovery programs. These programs truly make a difference to our community and people impacted by cancer.

CoastCanCare supports patients, their families, and carers on the Coast by providing an avenue for people to connect while engaging in wellbeing activities.

The program also connects participants to local services and supports to enable them to recover from cancer and thrive afterwards.

We would like to thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of local cancer patients.