The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Royal Melbourne Hospital Dry July Ambassador, Deane Reynolds, in the press :)

You can donate to Deane at https://www.dryjuly.com/users/deane-reynolds

Deane Reynolds from Kensington is the ambassador for the Royal Melbourne Hospital 2019 Dry July campaign.

Deane hadn’t really heard about head and neck cancer before. It all began when food started getting stuck in his throat as he ate his meals. His local doctor initially told him that it was reflux. After symptoms persisted, he was sent to a specialist, where he received the dreaded diagnosis of cancer.  

It was all a whirlwind at the beginning. He was given a 50 per cent chance of recovering. After long months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the weight of his prognosis left him wondering whether he would be able to get through it all. His greatest incentive was to keep going for his wife, Maxine.  

Deane continued doing what he loved most; gardening and cooking. In between rounds of chemotherapy, he tended to his garden, as well as his neighbours’. Deane could no longer eat, but he still cooked dinner for Maxine each night after she returned home from work.   

Deane was relieved when he finally received the news that the cancer had left his body. Most of all, he had missed eating and was over the moon to find that he had regained his taste. Now, he thoroughly enjoys his meals, as well as a good glass of red. Deane is a wine enthusiast and celebrated with a trip to the Barossa Valley with Maxine after he received the all clear. 

He was blown away by the talent, dedication and passion RMH staff show for their patients, which he says is the reason why he is still here today. Deane says he’s willing to stay off the booze just a little longer for Dry July, as a way of saying thank you to the wonderful surgeons, nurses and staff that cared for him. 

“I’m doing Dry July to thank the RMH for giving me a second bite out of the cherry of life.” 

The RMH 2019 Dry July goal is to raise $75,000 towards patient-care items and equipment for the head and neck cancer services and ward 7B. SIGN UP for Dry July and help ensure patients with cancer receive the best in care throughout their journeys of recovery. Alternatively, you can make a donation to RMH Dry July campaign HERE. 

Your fundraising for Dry July in 2018 has enabled The Royal Melbourne Hospital to purchase vital equipment for our Haematology Ward, such as a Portable ECG machine that can help us pick up heart abnormalities. For patients in isolated rooms this means that they can have an ECG taken without the machine in the room and this will reduce the risk of spread of infection.

Cancer-survivor Shantelle has been coming to the RMH to receive treatment for cancer from our Head and Neck team. Her dad, Peter, did Dry July last year to support her and to help raise money for cancer services at the RMH. With thanks to Peter and all of you who participated in Dry July, the Head and Neck team will also be getting some new equipment which includes iPads for patients to use while they are receiving treatment – a simple thing that can make a huge difference!

On behalf of Shantelle, and our cancer patients across Victoria, we say THANK YOU – you’ve helped us transform the lives of people in their greatest time of need. 

We're proud to announce that Royal Melbourne Hospital has received a grant from the Dry July Foundation 2018 Grant Program.

The grant will go towards the following: 

• iPads for Head, Neck and Thyroid cancer patients on the ward to exercise their brain after surgery

• Refurbishment 3 West Day Surgery unit to make the waiting are a more calm, comfortable and cosy environment for patients and families who come in for endoscopy procedures

• Purchase of T34 Syringe Pumps which deliver medications continuously to maintain symptom control and comfort in patients who are no longer able to take oral medication

Peter’s daughter Shantelle has bravely battled cancer, and he has decided to do Dry July in her honour. Shantelle was treated at Royal Melbourne Hospital, so when Shantelle asked her dad to go Dry in July to raise funds for Royal Melbourne Hospital, he immediately said 'No worries, I can do that'.

“Shantelle is my inspiration. After everything she has been through with her treatment, giving up beer is not a big thing.”

By raising funds this Dry July, Peter is helping The Royal Melbourne Hospital continue to provide the best possible care for their cancer patients.

“My strategies?”, said Peter. “Tie my hands behind my back, don’t visit anyone and just drink coke and water.

“Seriously, it’s not the end of the world to give up beer for a month. She had to give up so much, including donuts! I can do it.”