The Alfred, Melbourne

We are delighted to share that the refurbishment of The Alfred’s Radiotherapy Patient Room is complete. Patients and their carers have begun using the light and airy space, offering tea and coffee facilities, comfortable seating and access to entertainment, or a place to read a good book or listen to a favourite podcast while waiting.

Thanks to the incredible support of everyone who took part in the Dry July 2024 campaign - and the generous funding provided by Dry July Foundation - a previously under-utilised storage area has been transformed into a much needed warm, welcoming space for patients, carers and their families.

This newly renovated room not only offers a calm, comfortable and private environment but also plays an important role in the patient journey. It provides a dedicated area where staff can meet with patients for consultations prior to their initial planning CT scan - one of the first steps in their treatment journey with The Alfred Radiation Oncology team.

Providing a welcoming space for Radiotherapy patients, and their carers, the new Patient Room helps enhance the patient experience, complementing the high standard of care our staff provide.

The new Patient Room has also lifted staff morale as there is now a space that the team are proud to welcome patients into and is more reflective of their experience.

We’re grateful to everyone who made this transformation possible. Thank you.

Dry July 2023 funds are helping The Alfred continue to offer support for thousands of people living with cancer by easing the financial burden of parking and transport, ensuring all patients have access and can focus on what’s important, their treatment and care.

The Alfred treats thousands of people living with cancer each year through our world-class service.

This includes five radiotherapy bunkers (three at The Alfred and two at Latrobe Regional Hospital), 40 inpatient beds, 18 day-admission chairs and 10 cancer clinical trial chairs, among other things.

But it is programs like Dry July which can help with some of the little – and not so little – challenges that confront many of our patients, some who come to The Alfred from regional and remote parts of Victoria. Accommodation and transport for some patients who travel long distances to The Alfred for treatment is just one of the programs supported by Dry July to help improve our service.

One of the many patients to benefit from this program is Jim, who hails from Marlo, a coastal town some six hours east of Melbourne. Jim has a long history with The Alfred, having had a brain operation and a pacemaker installed, while his wife also had a heart valve replacement at the hospital.

A lot of exposure to the sun throughout his career, however, resulted in further health problems. “I was a deckhand on a fishing boat for about 45 years and before that I was a carpenter and joiner apprentice,” Jim said.

He had melanomas removed from his back about 18years ago and has been battling skin cancer ever since. Due to the monitoring his pacemaker requires, Jim’s radiation therapy must be performed at The Alfred.

 “The Alfred has found me accommodation (through funding from Dry July) and the Red Cross takes me backwards and forwards every day. I couldn’t fault The Alfred, they’ve been fantastic for me,” Jim said.

“It’s just a fantastic service, it’s great.” It is programs like this that funds raised from this year’s Dry July will go towards, so that many other patients can received the best possible cancer treatments

Other projects that are hoped to benefit from Dry July funds include scalp cooling equipment which helps reduce hair loss during chemotherapy (a common side effect of treatment), patient wellbeing initiatives and a music therapy program.

Join us this Dry July and help The Alfred continue to support people like Jim who are affected by cancer.  

It seemed to be just a normal Friday for Julie, when she suddenly noticed a rash appear on her legs. Julie went to her GP to get blood tests taken – the following Tuesday she was admitted to The Alfred.

Julie and her family then received the unexpected news that she had adult acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells.

Sitting in the ward worried about the diagnosis and upcoming treatment, Julie took a breath and heard music very faintly in the background. This was Lucy’s harp playing, made possible thanks to the music therapy program funded through Dry July.

“Immediately I felt more relaxed about the treatment and journey ahead. The music was just beautiful; it was so very soothing,” Julie said.

Music is something that Julie has treasured, with her father playing the violin and piano when she was younger. It brought great comfort when she needed it most.

Julie was admitted again for chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. This resulted in a major seizure which saw her rushed to ICU and put into an induced coma. This was some of the toughest times for the family. Julie said the music therapy even gave her children hope.

Spending more than 12 weeks in hospital across the two admissions, Julie said that Lucy and her music “really jollied me along”.

Music therapy improves the patient experience, reduces anxiety and offers experiences of joy during such a stressful time. Julie couldn’t stress enough the importance of music therapy.

“It is a wonderful program for staff, patients and families, the music calmed the whole ward”, she said.

Julie is now in remission with transfusions twice a week. Lucy is continuing to provide music therapy to support cancer patients in their time of need.

Your participation this Dry July will help more patients like Julie benefit from music therapy.

Team Alfred is going dry this July, including some of our stars in The Alfred Oncology team. Each year, The Alfred treats thousands of people living with cancer.

Dry July is about so much more than giving up alcohol for the month, it’s about helping to provide cancer support and care that makes life better for cancer patients, their families and carers. Join us and help The Alfred continue to support people affected by cancer.