Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia

“They say there are a few defining moments that change your life forever – getting a call from my dad telling me he had prostate cancer was one of them.”

Madeline’s dad, Steven, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2020, at age 53.

“I remember feeling numb when I got the call from my dad,” she says. “I never expected this to happen to my father and especially at 53 years old. It makes me wonder how many other fathers, husbands, brothers and men in our lives are walking around with this disease, just like my dad was. It scares me to think it crept up on my family as it did, and it could happen to anyone. My dad wasn’t diagnosed until it had already spread – but hopefully other men can catch it earlier."

While her Dad is doing well at the moment, she knows it could be a long road ahead for their family. The past two years has been really hard – with most of the family separated by COVID. Madeline is in Barcaldine, while her dad lives in Melbourne.

“You never think cancer is going to happen to you, or someone you love, until one day it does. I knew I had to take action against a disease that silently creeps up on the men we love. I feel like if one girl in an outback town can get involved, then anyone can. This year, I’ll be doing Dry July for my Dad.”

Madeline knows the funds we raise will go to supporting families just like hers.

With thanks to Dry July Foundation, PCFA has significantly expanded its Specialist Nursing Service with the launch of a new nationwide Telenursing Service.

Thanks to your donations, our hospital-based nurses and telenurses are successfully meeting the growing demand for support of Australian men and families with prostate cancer:

• Over 300 new Telenursing calls each month

• Over 1700 new survivors connect each month

• Over 8,000 hospital consultations each month

The introduction of the Telenursing Service means men and their loved ones have more options for connecting with our Specialist Nurses for expert care and advice.

PCFA’s General Manager Supportive Care Programs, Bernard Riley, says no calls go unanswered.

“We’re here to provide evidenced based information and resources about all aspects of prostate cancer.

“Importantly, we help men and their loved ones understand their diagnosis and their treatment options, and how to manage the many side-effects.”

In total, PCFA’s expert prostate cancer specialist telenurses have spent 35,000 minutes on the phone supporting men and their families over the past 12 months, with spikes during periods of lockdown and surgery suspension.

“The long-term effects of living with prostate cancer can be very challenging, and as a community we need to be there to care for these men, to help them cope in the days, weeks, months, and years after treatment,” Mr Riley says.

When you go Dry in July, you’ll be helping PCFA to support Australian men when prostate cancer strikes.

To connect with the service, call 1800 22 00 99 or email [email protected].

After being a nurse for more than 17 years, and more recently joining PCFA as General Manager of Telenursing, Bernie is now one of the friendly voices behind the Prostate Cancer Telenursing Service.

With a simple call to 1800 22 00 99, men and families affected by prostate cancer can now connect with a specialist nurse - filling a vital gap now more than ever with isolation being an increased concern throughout COVID-19.

“Being diagnosed and having to navigate the health system can be scary enough but being fully informed and having advice from a prostate cancer specialist nurse can make all the difference."

“We try to empower men to fight prostate cancer, fully armed and fully informed!”

This year, the incredible funds raised by Dry July participants supporting Prostate Cancer Foundation will help fund life-changing support via their telenursing service, ensuring all men diagnosed have access to a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse. 💙

After Zara’s dad, Bruce, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, she saw first-hand the challenges that Aussie men experience. It inspired her to find a way to make a difference and support other men and families impacted by the disease.

Not one to do anything by halves, Zara decided to shave her long hair alongside her dad, and raised more than $22,000 for PCFA in the process.

Read Zara's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/zaras-story 

Your heartfelt determination during Dry July has helped raise a remarkable $416,000 for Australia’s first dedicated Prostate Cancer Specialist Telenursing Service.

With thanks to you, the service will give thousands of Australian men access to expert nursing care, just by calling Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).

PCFA will also be there for their wives and partners, their sons and daughters – providing the latest information, comfort, and care. Your compassion and kindness speaks to your concern for our community.