Following the success of the 2018 campaign, the Dry July Foundation is continuing to extend its reach to help even more Aussies in need of cancer support. For the 2019 campaign, the Foundation has added youth cancer charity, Redkite, and breast cancer charity, McGrath Foundation to its list of major beneficiary partners.
Alongside the new beneficiaries, the Cancer Council has amalgamated all state divisions under one name, with funds being raised to support its nationwide 13 11 20 support line service.
The new partnerships build on the success of the 10th anniversary campaign, which saw a new record of over 36,000 Aussies sign up, and donations topping $7.7 million for the Foundation.
Dry July participants can sign up to the challenge and select one of the new charities as the beneficiary of their Dry July fundraising, or choose one of the existing 30 beneficiaries from around the country, including Prostate Cancer Foundation, Leukaemia Foundation, Look Good Feel Better, or one of many local cancer support organisations. These organisations will receive donations to help fund projects to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
The major beneficiaries being funded in 2019 are:
• McGrath Foundation – In Australia, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Dry July funds in 2019 will go towards funding the McGrath Breast Care Nurse program, which provides invaluable support and care to women and men experiencing breast cancer. From diagnosis right throughout treatment, the individual and their families are supported for free and with no referral.
• Redkite – A national charity which aims to give young people with cancer the best possible quality of life – now and into the future. No matter where in Australia a young person is treated or lives, Redkite’s professional support team is available for them and their families to give counselling, financial assistance for travel to and from hospital, cover rent and food, along with educational and career support.
• Cancer Council – Dry July funding will go towards the national 13 11 20 support line service. A confidential cancer information and support phone line, run by experienced Cancer Nurses, connecting Aussie cancer patients and their families to resources and services.
• Leukaemia Foundation – This year, funds raised during Dry July will directly support the Leukaemia Foundation’s National Transport to Treatment Program. For people living with blood cancer, getting to and from hospital for treatment can be an extra burden at an already stressful time. Especially for those who have already relocated from rural or remote areas for cancer treatments, who don’t have any other means of transport, or who have limited finances.
• Prostate Cancer Foundation - supporting Australian men with life changing support from a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, being there to support patients with any health and emotional challenges during (and after) their treatment.
• Look Good Feel Better - funding workshops dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by treatment for any type of cancer.
