We’re delighted to announce the 26 recipients of the inaugural Dry July Foundation Grant Program. Funds have been distributed for 62 eligible projects across cancer support organisations nationwide, including the Look Good Feel Better program, state Cancer Councils and regional hospitals such as Geraldton Hospital and North West Regional Hospital, Burnie.

As an additional option to nominating a beneficiary at sign-up, in 2015, DJs were invited for the first time to fundraise for the Dry July Foundation, with money raised being allocated to the Grant Program. Nearly 5,000 DJs chose this option raising over $675,000. Cancer support organisations in their state were then invited to submit applications for eligible projects to benefit from these funds.

Dry July CEO, Brett Macdonald, says: “2015 is the first year we’ve been able to make additional funds available following the fundraising campaign in July. We received a number of interesting applications from a diverse range of cancer support organisations across Australia and were able to distribute grants for many projects across 26 different organisations.

The Dry July Foundation assists cancer support organisations by providing funds to implement projects and programs aimed at improving the wellbeing of adult cancer patients. Examples of projects funded include entertainment systems, accommodation facilities, transportation to treatment, complementary therapy program costs, and improving waiting and treatment area facilities.

Each grant was capped at $30,000 but organisations could apply for more than one project.

The Dry July Foundation will again be raising funds for the Grant Program in 2016 with applications beginning in September. For further information about the Grant Program in 2016, please contact Kate Wilson, Beneficiary Program Manager at Dry July on 02 9247 6691.

Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients:

• Cancer Patients Foundation and Look Good Feel Better (National)
  
• 5 additional Look Good Feel Better Workshops  in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA (pictured above)
• Canberra Hospital, ACT
• Oncology Massage Therapy
• Blacktown Cancer and Haematology Centre, NSW
• Care packs for patients
• Mobile devices which will better enable  care coordinators to respond to individual patient and carer needs
• Cancer Care Western NSW, Orange
  
• Addition of 2 new parking spaces in lodge  car park
• Central Coast Local Health District, NSW
• CoastCanCare Wellness Program Expansion
• Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, NSW
• Arterie - Artist In Residence Program
• Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, NSW
• Wellness Therapies
• Reflected Legacy art project for  palliative care patients and families
• Wellness Garden Giving Program supplies
• Cancer Council Northern Territory
• Enhancing the Alice Springs office area  to provide a better meeting space for clients
• Cancer Council Queensland
  
• Air-conditioning 6 guest units at Gluyas  Rotary Lodge Townsville
• Introduction to Mindfulness half-day  workshops in regional QLD
• Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
• Oneview patient entertainment systems
• Cancer Care Centre, Adelaide
• Built in bookcase in activity room
• Lymphodema treatment equipment
• Reservio appointment reminder software
• Vegetarian Cooking Class equipment and  supplies
• Art Therapy supplies
• Cancer Council SA
• ‘Exercise and Cancer’ Program at Cancer  Council lodges in Adelaide
• Upgrade & refurbish of Cancer Council  Flinders Lodge areas - dining, wait and recreation Room
• Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, SA
• Furnishings for entry level patient space
• North West Regional Hospital, Burnie, TAS
• Radiation Oncology enhancements - waiting  room furniture, lifting device and recliner chair
• Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, VIC
• Food trolley, hand massage therapy and TV  for day unit, artificial plants for wellness unit, fish tank stand for  radiation oncology waiting area, waiting area refurbishments, Christmas tree,  BBQ for accommodation units.
• Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC
• Art therapy program and exercise therapy  program on the Baxter 6 Cancer Ward at University Hospital; patient  chemotherapy diaries at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre
• Bendigo Health, VIC
• Nolan St Unit Refurbishment
• Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC
• Blanket Warmer
• Refurbishments in each of 4 Palliative Care rooms
• St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
• Fresh flowers and magazines for wards,  patient care pack supplies
• Albany Hospital, WA
• Outdoor makeover
• Bruce Rock Memorial Health Service, WA
• Sun Room & Garden
• Cancer Council Western Australia
• Replacement drapes and carpets in guest rooms at Crawford Lodge
• Cancer Support WA
• Library resources upgrade
• Esperance Hospital, WA
• Blanket warmer and upgrade to outdoor  patient area
• Geraldton Hospital, WA
• Beds to be used on loan for provision of palliative care at home, telehealth facilities to be used with palliative care patients and carers from home, transport buggy for patients at cancer centre

Since 2008, more than 115,000 participants have collectively raised over $24 million, helping Dry July support 56 different cancer services across Australia and New Zealand. This support improves the wellbeing of adult cancer patients by creating better services and environments for them and their families.