Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre

The palliative care team at Liverpool Hospital are planning to use fundraising from Dry July 2016 towards a double bed to enable loved ones to stay overnight, and wall mounted time and date clocks that are legible for patients.

The amazing fundraising efforts of Mark Udovitch and the radiation therapy team at Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre will support the following projects for patients:

- Scenic curtains in patient areas
- Patient library and resources
- Music streaming services and speakers for patients in the linacs
- Blanket warmer

Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre Radiation Therapist Mark Udovitch appeared on The Daily Edition on Monday 4 July to promote the Dry July Shave Off campaign and his 'rip-off' celebrity photos.

Watch the segment here.

Originally published by Stacy Thomas, Liverpool Leader, July 4, 2016 10:10am

It’s taken hours of planning to get the outfit and hair just right, but Mark Udovitch is happy with his “rip-off” celebrity images. 

The Liverpool Hospital radiation therapist has been scheming with his girlfriend Lisa McLean.

Despite being done in jest, the reason behind it has a more serious tone.

“I had a patient who had breast cancer. She lost her hair after chemotherapy,” he said.

“She was distressed about the loss of hair ... more than surgery. 

“It was harder for her than the mastectomy. It was such a profound thing to say.”

Mr Udovitch, 28, decided to grow his hair and donate it to a wig library. Two and a half years later, his luscious locks, which he normally wears in a man bun, are about to go. But not before he has a bit of fun.

“It all started with the first photo I did — Creed singer Scott Stapp. It got more than 150 likes (on social media),” he said.

“My favourite is Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones. We’ve still got more to come over the coming weeks too.

“And I’ve made it obvious that if anyone donates, I’m asking them to recommend a celebrity for me to take off. There have been a lot I thought would be impossible.” 

In just a short period of time, he’s raised more than $6000, all of it going to the Dry July  campaign. 

Dry July encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise funds for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Mr Udovitch said it was all just a bit of fun, but he loved the fact it had gained so much exposure. He will be shaving his head at the end of the month.

More than $17,500 has been raised this year for the Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, including Mr Udovitch’s contribution. It’ll be spent on wellness programs, additional transport services, furniture and chemotherapy patient gazebo. 

Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre supports the Liverpool, Fairfield and Bankstown local government areas.

More than 3100 adult cancer patients access services each year.

Details: dryjuly.com/users/mark-udovitch.

Dry July is thrilled to be able to support ‘Reflected Legacy’, a ground breaking arts and health program at Liverpool Hospital. This program received funding from Dry July’s 2015 Grant Program.

Lead by visual artist Flutter Lyon, this project complements the holistic care of cancer patients in palliative care, while enhancing and changing the physical environment for patients, families and staff on the ward.

How the Program Works

Flutter Lyon hosts Pressing Sessions in patient rooms; profound, interactive experiences between the artist and the patient that combine storytelling and art making. Through a series of questions and storytelling exercises Flutter captures the life stories of people in the last days and weeks of their life in unique Ink-Pressing artworks and sound recordings, which are then given to the patient and their family as a gift of art and legacy.

Connection. Insight. Healing.

When we tell our stories, it gives us a way of sharing and reflecting upon the life we are living. Free expression and storytelling in this setting offers a deepened sense of connection to the value and meaning of our individual and shared life experiences.

It can bring comfort, celebration and beauty during a challenging time in our lives, encouraging the recall of memories and key points in our life that we have felt free, joyous, loving and loved, strong and hopeful. By remembering what we have done and seeing the powerful nature of our human experience, it can help empower us to find the strength and bravery we might desire now.

What the Program Does

This powerful experience, when taken into the palliative care space, provides tangible outcomes:

• -patients report improvements to their mood, pain management, appetite and sleep patterns;
  

• families report feeling uplifted and more connected; and
  

• staff report new insights into patient care and a greater sense of support and resilience within the ward environment

Who the Project is For

Patients and loved ones engaged in the Palliative Care services at Liverpool Hospital.

This story was originally posted on Flutter Lyon’s Facebook Page