The Alfred, Melbourne

The Alfred has two priority projects that will benefit from Dry July funding this year:

- redevelopment of the Young Adults with Cancer area; and

- upgrading patient information and waiting areas in the Radiation Oncology area (lower ground floor).

The aim of both projects is to make these spaces more welcoming for cancer patients, their families and carers.

The patient kitchen in ward 7 East at The Alfred was recently renovated using funds from Dry July 2015.

The upgrade included installation of a duel water filter tap which provides filtered cold water and boiling water from a unit above the sink; adding more storage; building a shelf for the ice machine; including a shelf for the microwave to free up bench space; and fitting out an area for bin storage. Patients spend a lot of time on the ward and these simple upgrades to the kitchen area will make the space a little more welcoming and usable - now more than one person can use the kitchen at the same time!

Everyone at The Alfred continues to be amazed and very grateful at the support the community has shown us throughout Dry July. We would like to thank you for helping us to improve the facilities and surrounds in which our patients are treated. Your support assists people facing a very difficult journey and for that we are enormously appreciative.

The Alfred has been a beneficiary of Dry July for three years, because of you we have been able to make some amazing and positive changes to help improve the areas where our patients spend a great deal of time. The Alfred looks after many thousands of patients living with cancer and we see the difficult flight they are facing. The projects and support of Dry July has helped to make that battle a little better and for that we thank you.

Our gratitude is also extended to everyone who sponsored a family member, friend or colleague. Your contribution should not go unremarked. Your generosity is also welcomed by all of us and on behalf of the staff and patients at The Alfred, thank you!

A/Prof Jeremy Millar (Director Radiation Oncology) & Prof Harshal Nandurkar (Director Clinical Haematology)

My story began on the 7th of September 2015, when I was admitted to The Alfred, Ward 7East Haematology Oncology to begin chemotherapy for an unusual presentation of AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). At 22, this diagnosis felt surreal, despite feeling quiet fatigued, I felt I was too young and healthy to have a ‘cancer’ diagnosis. That’s the thing though, isn’t it? Cancer does not discriminate.

I had a stereotyped image in my mind about how a person who has cancer should look and feel. After being admitted as an in-patient, I very quickly learned that this image was somewhat wrong. Yes, there were people who were very sick, but there were also people who despite their diagnosis remained strong and optimistic.  

Shortly after I was admitted, I was introduced by my nurse to Skye (18) also an AML patient. Skye is bright, bubbly and oozes positivity. She almost instantly calmed my apprehension and fear of the unknown. Being able to speak with a like-minded patient of similar age really helped me. We both spent over 3 months as in-patients on the ward over a 6 month period of treatment.

We decorated our room with photos, cards and feel-good quotes stuck to the walls, with perfumed reeds, dreamcatchers and elephants with their trunks up for good luck. Pillows and colourful blankets brightened the room, as did the fake flowers (As real flowers are a health risk to immune compromised patients). As you could imagine, we created a positive atmosphere which really helped us get through our treatment.  

Despite being confined to the oncology ward, we managed to make the best of a difficult situation. I particularly remember Halloween, when we put makeup on our faces, complete with black eyes and Frankenstein stitches. We draped ourselves in sheets and dragged our IV poles behind us, spooking the nursing staff around the ward. The best part was the unplanned scare our night nurse got when he came on duty later that night and checked on us asleep in our makeup!  

The nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists, social workers, orderlies, pastoral care workers, general hospital staff and of course the doctors themselves were absolutely brilliant. I was treated with respect and dignity, and I always felt I was in safe hands.  

The positive attitudes, professionalism, support and quality of care given to me are qualities to which I aspire in my future profession as a registered nurse. I feel inspired, and feel the nursing staff set an excellent example of the attributes a great nurse should have. 

So please get behind The Alfred hospital’s ‘Dry July’ appeal and help the hospital make spaces a little brighter and more comfortable for those undergoing cancer treatments and their families.  

Rochelle Gengaroli (Former patient, 5 months remission).

I was diagnosed with throat cancer on my vocal cords in April 2016. Following the diagnosis I was immediately referred to Professor Sidney Davis and his team at Alfred Health Radiation Oncology (AHRO) for assessment and my treatment program.

Prof. Davis and his team quickly mapped out my treatment program, consisting of 28 treatments over 6 weeks. These began on the 9th May 2016 and completed on the 15th June, as scheduled.  

During my daily visits to AHRO, my treatment was made easier by the staff who were always welcoming and friendly. This wonderful team who included nurses, speech therapists, dieticians, doctors, radiologists and administration staff, were all encouraging and supportive; treating me with compassion and warmth. Having all services available in the same location also makes treatment that much easier on patients and their supporters. 

I also noticed the same compassion and consideration shown to other patients undergoing their treatments during the same period. Family members and friends who accompanied patients also received the same consideration. It is just as important for patient supporters to understand the process and feel comfortable during these difficult times to come to terms with the prognosis and treatment programs. 

The facility at The Alfred is continually in need of upgrades and improvements to ensure that all patients who suffer from this horrible disease, cancer, feel comfortable, supported and have the best treatment possible. The Alfred is a major Melbourne medical facility and patients come from far and wide to receive the best care, with the latest equipment and treatments. Making patients feel comfortable during their treatment program and having the various health services and program available to support them, eases the stress of treatment as well as provides the best opportunity to return to good health again.      

Dry July for The Alfred is a chance to support this facility to raise funds to provide improved treatment facilities, improve support programs, create improved environments and surroundings and generally brighten the outlook for the growing number of cancer patients and their families and friends. No-one expects to need these services but the reality is that one day either you or a member of your family will need to go through treatment and you will want it to be as comfortable as possible. It’s not until you need the services and expertise of this world class medical facility that you realise how much difference the little things can make to your treatment. Please support Dry July for health with your financial donations and donate now!!! 

I urge and encourage you to spread the word and encourage your family, friends, colleagues and network to support Dry July and donate generously to The Alfred.      

Thank you  

Michael George - “2016 patient”