Eastern Health

Lockie’s story is a powerful reminder of how small moments of comfort can make an immeasurable difference during the hardest of times.

At 33, Lockie was known by his parents, Merrilyn and Michael, as vibrant and joyful. He had Down syndrome and was non-verbal, but deeply expressive and affectionate. When Lockie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow his world changed overnight.

Lockie spent 13 long weeks as an inpatient at Eastern Health, receiving intensive treatment. Over time, the energetic young man his parents knew began to fade. Merrilyn and Michael stayed close, rarely leaving his side as the days grew heavier and more uncertain.

Then one day, Daisy walked into the room.

Daisy is one of Eastern Health’s therapy dogs and from the moment she padded gently to Lockie’s bedside, something shifted.

“Lockie is very tactile,” Michael recalls. “When that beautiful dog came up and gently rested her paws on the bed, he instinctively reached out to touch her. It was a beautiful moment.”

Merrilyn agrees. “The therapy dogs were drawn to him. We got to witness some truly precious moments.”

For Lockie, those visits became moments of calm and connection in an otherwise overwhelming hospital stay. During therapy dog visits, he relaxed. He smiled more. And in those moments, so did his parents.

These dogs don’t just lift spirits they help patients feel safe, soothed and human again. Their calming presence can support rest, emotional wellbeing and a sense of normality at a time when so much feels out of control.

Tragically, Lockie’s leukaemia was aggressive. Not long after his family shared his story with us, Lockie returned home for palliative care. He passed away peacefully soon after, surrounded by love.

Merrilyn and Michael asked us to share Lockie’s story to honour his life and to thank the community whose care and generosity made moments of comfort possible during an incredibly difficult time.

Every day, around 140 oncology patients receive care across Eastern Health. Many spend long hours undergoing treatment, where comfort, dignity and a sense of calm can make a real difference to their experience.

This Dry July, your support will help fund two Quantum Recliner treatment chairs state-of-the-art equipment designed to enhance comfort during cancer treatment. These chairs provide greater support and adjustability, helping patients feel more at ease during long and often challenging appointments.

By supporting Dry July, you’re helping create a more caring, compassionate environment for people when they need it most because comfort isn’t a luxury. It’s an essential part of healing.

We’re proud to be joining Dry July for the first time and grateful to be part of a community that believes in making cancer treatment more comfortable, supportive and human.

Eastern Health delivers patient centred cancer care across Melbourne’s largest geographical health region, supporting people at every stage of their cancer journey from diagnosis and treatment through to recovery and survivorship. Our services span inpatient and outpatient care, day oncology treatment, rehabilitation, Hospital-in-the-Home programs, and specialist breast and cancer centres, ensuring care is delivered close to home wherever possible.

Core Service Areas include:

• Day Oncology & Medical Units (DOMUs): Chemotherapy, supportive therapies, and monitoring.

• Box Hill Cancer Ward (Ward 4.1): Inpatient cancer treatment.

• Outpatient clinics: Diagnostic appraisal for new patients, ongoing cancer management, and multidisciplinary care.

• Cancer Oncology Rehabilitation Program: Eight‑week program offering tailored exercise, education, symptom management, and psychosocial support at Wantirna Health.

• Hospital-in-the-Home Cancer Service: Providing treatment and support in patients’ homes.

• Breast & Cancer Centre (Maroondah) - Purpose‑built centre offering integrated breast screening, breast cancer treatment, and supportive care. Opened in 2018, enabling 12,800+ extra patient consultations, 5,520 additional mammograms, and 2,400 more breast nurse consults annually.

• Cancer services also expanded recently to Alexandra Hospital helping provide some treatments and care closer to home.

As a Dry July beneficiary, funds raised will directly support projects that improve the day-to-day experience of patients undergoing cancer treatment. This year, your support will help us purchase two Quantum Treatment Recliner chairs for Box Hill Oncology Day Medical Unit (DOMO). This equipment will deliver significant improvements to the comfort, safety and dignity of people affected by cancer, while also supporting clinical staff and strengthening the overall quality of care.

Funds raised this Dry July will help us deliver meaningful improvements within our cancer services, including...

The purchase of two Quantum Treatment Recliner chairs for Box Hill Oncology Day Medical Unit (DOMO) will deliver significant improvements to the comfort, safety and dignity of people affected by cancer, while also supporting clinical staff and strengthening the overall quality of care.

Improved comfort and treatment experience

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy often require patients to remain seated for extended periods. Many patients experience pain, fatigue, nausea and other treatment‑related side effects that can be worsened by inadequate seating. The Quantum treatment chairs are fully reclinable, with adjustable back support and leg elevation, allowing patients to personalise their positioning throughout treatment. This flexibility reduces physical discomfort and fatigue, helping patients better tolerate long treatment sessions and improving their overall experience at a challenging time.

Increased accessibility, dignity and independence

Reduced mobility is common for people undergoing cancer treatment, with many relying on wheelchairs, walking aids or stretchers. The drop‑arm design of the Quantum chairs enables safer, smoother transfers, reducing anxiety for patients and supporting dignity during movement. Dual flip‑out trays allow patients to keep personal belongings, drinks and devices within easy reach, promoting independence and reducing reliance on nursing staff for non‑clinical support. These features contribute to a more patient‑centred, respectful care environment.

Enhanced safety and emergency readiness

Cancer patients may experience sudden adverse reactions during treatment. The Quantum chairs include modern safety features such as dual brakes, directional steering and a CPR tilt function, enabling staff to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations. Updated equipment improves patient safety, provides reassurance to patients and staff, and ensures the treatment environment aligns with contemporary clinical standards.

Reduced physical strain for staff

Manual handling and difficult patient transfers increase the risk of injury for clinical staff. By improving accessibility and ease of repositioning, the Quantum chairs reduce physical strain and manual handling risks for nurses. This supports staff wellbeing, contributes to a safer workplace, and allows clinicians to focus more fully on delivering high‑quality patient care.

Lasting impact on service quality

Replacing two ageing treatment chairs will benefit hundreds of oncology patients each year, many of whom attend the unit repeatedly over the course of their treatment. The new chairs will create a more comfortable, safe and dignified treatment environment, demonstrating a strong commitment to compassionate, patient‑centred cancer care.

This investment delivers immediate and lasting benefits for patients, staff and the service, improving both the human experience and the clinical quality of oncology care at Eastern Health Box Hill.

By going DRY this JULY, you’re helping us create calmer, more supportive environments where patients feel informed, comforted and cared for every step of the way.