For a long time the space on Level 7 at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse has remained an empty shell.

Now it is home to our You Can Centre - a dedicated space for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients to socialise, relax, wait for appointments, find some distraction and connect with others.

The You Can Centre was built in partnership with the Sony Foundation and the Sydney Local Health District, and with contributions also from the Dry July Foundation.

Funds raised from the 2021 Dry July campaign helped furnish the movie and games room, a music room, and a leafy outdoor balcony.

“I can use the space as somewhere else to go. I’m not spending all day in a hospital bed, I come down and hangout down here ….and some days just come down and nap in the cinema room.” Hannah (AYA patient)

At Chris O’Brien Lifehouse our patients are the centre of everything we do. Funding from Dry July has helped create a welcoming space for patients and their families to use while going through treatment for cancer.

“I walked in here with mum and mum burst into tears straight away….it has been done perfectly, from the actual designs of the rooms to the artwork to the furniture to the massive TVs… every single part has perfectly created a safe, non-hospital looking kind of environment.” Elliot (AYA patient)

You Can Coordinator, Emily, says, “We are grateful for the funding from Dry July as it will help provide comfort and support to cancer patients and their families at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at a time when they need it most.”