For 41 year old Bree, losing her dad to prostate cancer was the most devastating moment of her life.

The decorated war hero and accomplished catamaran pilot fought off the disease for nearly two decades, before succumbing to its spread. 

Bree says he will always be missed. 

“Everyone who knew dad would speak of his unwavering positivity and optimism even when fighting such a terrible disease.

“Even when, in January this year, he was told he had months to live, he was still making plans to go to Bathurst in October. His next goal was to meet his next grandchild. He was more optimistic than all of us put together.”

His passing left the family in grief, but more determined than ever to make a difference by giving hope to others.

“I'm going dry again this July to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Last year I did it for my dad. This year I am doing it in his memory, and to help other men and their families when they need it most,” Bree said

“Dad lived life to the fullest, and I’m determined to do the same for him.”

This year, we’re remembering Col as we celebrate Bree’s campaign. He passed away at home on 20 April 2020, and will always be remembered by Bree, her loving mum Pamela, Bree’s four siblings, and eight beautiful grandchildren.

To make a donation and support Bree’s efforts before the end of the month please head to her Dry July profile page . Every dollar that is raised will go to the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse program that supports men across Australia affected prostate cancer. 

Icon Group CEO Mark Middleton has signed up for this year’s National Dry July fundraising campaign, urging others to join him in a non-alcoholic toast to Australia’s future health and happiness.

The successful radiation therapist and business leader will be getting on the wagon in support of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.  

“Over 2000 Aussies have given up alcohol and raised almost $750,000 for PCFA since 2018, providing vital funding for Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses,” Middleton said. 

“As leader of Australia’s largest cancer care provider, I know all too well the impact that prostate cancer has on men's health in Australia and internationally, and I’m proud to play a part in raising awareness and funds for the cause.  

“The Icon business model is built on the premise that people and community come first – giving back is core to our promise.”  

Middleton founded Radiation Oncology Queensland, now part of Icon Group, and is recognised globally for his advocacy through the UICC to ensure cancer care services are available in regional areas as well as the city, a cause connected to his Dry July mission.  

“Men in regional and rural areas of Australia face a 24 per cent higher risk of death from prostate cancer than their mates in the city – a tragic fact we need to change,” he said. 

Under Middleton’s leadership, Icon has grown from 12 to 30 cancer centres Australia-wide, with 50 per cent of its network servicing outer-metro and regional areas.  

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn AO, said Middleton’s efforts were inspiring. 

“Over the course of nearly two decades I’ve seen Mark expand his work to care for more and more Australians affected by cancer,” Dunn said.  

“His deep personal commitment and leadership passion are iconic in every way, contributing to local and global efforts to reduce the global cancer burden. 

“The mark of his character is the fact that he has never forgotten where he came from, or how our loved ones feel when they are confronted by cancer. 

“Every 25 minutes, one of our fathers, brothers, and sons will hear the news he has prostate cancer. Mark’s commitment this Dry July will help to ensure they don’t walk the journey alone.”  

Organisers of the Dry July campaign are hoping more people will get involved, with a new option to go Dry(ish) for 14 or 21 days.  

“Going dry for all 31 days is the only option for me,” Middleton said. 

To help Mark get to his $1,000 target you can donate directly on his fundraising page. 

Mark and Linda's lives were turned upside down when Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“The day the doctor actually said, ‘You have prostate cancer,’ it all became a blur. I didn’t hear a thing that was said after that,” Mark remembers. 

All their plans immediately went out the window and instead they were faced with endless doctors’ appointments, meetings with specialists and deciding on treatment plans. It was so overwhelming. They didn’t know what to do or who to talk to. 

For Mark’s wife Linda and their family, it was difficult to know where to turn for the right treatment. “It was so hard to find information, to know what to do,” Linda said.

Navigating the whole process and working out the correct treatment at such an incredibly emotional time can be overwhelming for men like Mark and their families. It’s an added burden at a time when they’re already struggling to cope.

That’s where a Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia specialist nurse can help. Our nurses understand the fear and grief. They listen and provide informed advice when it’s needed. Most importantly, specialist nurses bring a comforting, human element to what can otherwise feel like a clinical process.

Last month Dry July Foundation Beneficiary Program Manager, Zoe Burrell, met with newly recruited Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Natasha Roberts, at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Natasha’s position has been made possible thanks to funds raised during the 2019 Dry July campaign.

In 2019, Dry July participants that selected Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia raised over $430,000. These funds, plus an additional grant from Dry July Foundation, went to the PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing program.

Featured in photo from left to right - 

Zoe Burrell - Dry July Foundation Beneficiary Program Manager
Jason Castle – Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, QLD Fundraising Manager
Natasha Roberts – Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse
Paul Moran - Assistant Nursing Director of Cancer Care Services
Kaylene Woollett – Nursing Director of Surgical and Perioperative Services

We're pleased to announce that Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has received an additional grant from the Dry July Foundation October grant round.

This grant will enable further funding for the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse (PCSN) program.

To date, with this additional grant, the Dry July Foundation has funded 3.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) PCSN's for 3 years across the country.