This year marks the second year Canberra Hospital Foundation has been lucky enough to work alongside Jaemi Maher and her Dry July team – “Team Debsta”. Jaemi sadly lost her mum, Debbie Maher, to cancer in 2013. Since then Jaemi has been a source of inspiration, as she aims to improve the services Canberra Hospital provides to adults living with cancer. Through her determination, Jaemi’s team finished number one nationally last year in the Dry July campaign.
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Fundraising For
Funds raised this Dry July will help fund the continuation of the Therapeutic Harp Program, Morning / Afternoon Tea Trolley and Flower Displays
About Us
Canberra Hospitals Foundation is proud to support the Canberra Region Cancer Centre, which is a world class healthcare facility that brings together cancer treatment, research, teaching programs and related services in one purpose-built facility.
The care and support of our patients is central to everything we do. Services operating within the Centre take a multi-disciplinary team approach to health treatment and support.
Our cancer services are made up of several highly skilled teams, including Medical and Radiation Oncology, Haematology, Immunology, Surgery, Bone Marrow Transplant, Psychosocial and Palliative Care to provide comprehensive services to patients with cancer and related illnesses, and their carers.
The diagnosis of cancer alters patients’ lives as they know it. Everything is put on hold. The suffering is widespread, with so many loved ones also affected.
Through Dry July and the Canberra Hospitals Foundation, your donation will help us to provide extra support and comfort that will complement and enhance the treatment and healing of patients, families and carers affected by cancer in Canberra and the surrounding region.
Since 2009, the amazing support of our Dry July community has enabled initiatives and items including the Therapeutic Harp Program, Sleep Pods, the Hospitality Trolley, uplifting art murals, floral arrangements, massage chairs and blanket warmers, just to name a few.
These initiatives support patients’ wellbeing by offering relaxation, comfort, distraction and ultimately, help to make very difficult experiences a little bit easier.
By going dry for the month of July, you are making a meaningful difference to the lives of so many people affected by cancer, we are so grateful for your support!
Latest Updates
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Hospitality and Entertainment Trolleys At the Canberra Hospital |
In September
2014 a volunteer program was established to assist patients receiving care in
the new Canberra Region Cancer Centre (CRCC).
Funds raised through Dry July have enabled the purchase of a new
hospitality trolley and entertainment trolley to benefit patients receiving
treatment in the CRCC at Canberra Hospital. The trolleys are serviced by CRCC
volunteers.
The
hospitality trolley provides a welcoming tea and coffee service to patients who
find it difficult to be able to access the beverage stations, especially when
on their own, as well as providing a homely service with china tea cups and tea
and coffee pots. It is available to patients in the Day Therapy Unit,
Radiation Oncology and the Patient Clinics.
Volunteers
also operate the entertainment trolley, which contains iPads, games, magazines
and children’s toys for patients and carers. The equipment on the trolley
provides stimulus, diversion, comfort and recreation to patients who need
treatment. Treatment can take several hours, during which time patients are
confined to a chair and often without company. Treatment is often ongoing
for several months, requiring regular visits to the Centre.
“We have had a great deal of positive feedback from the trolleys, which our patients greatly appreciate, and which make their time in the CRCC a little more comfortable.” Caroline McIntyre, Volunteer Coordinator at CRCC.
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Veterans Room Refurbishment at The Canberra Hospital |
The Veterans Lounge at The Canberra Hospital was in desperate need of an upgrade. Using funds from Dry July, the hospital has refurbished the room with more comfortable chairs and soft furnishings, to make the room more accessible to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Before photos are on the left, and after on the right!
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Canberra Hospital |
The Canberra Hospital Foundation have used a portion of their funds from Dry July 2014 to purchase CD’s, iPods and iPod docking stations to allow background music to be played while patients are undergoing Radiation Therapy Treatment in a Linac Accelerator.
Patients of the Canberra Hospital have been incredibly appreciative of the new purchases as listening to music has been demonstrated to decrease anxiety and pain levels in medical settings.
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Upgrades at Duffy House in Canberra |
The Canberra Hospital used funds from Dry July 2014 to provide patient items for Duffy House including: block out blinds; lounges; in room dining settings; tub chairs; lamps; bedside tables; kitchen cooking equipment; linens; and art work. The aim was to make the house - which offers a home a way from home for regional cancer patients - a little more comfortable.
