Westmead Hospital - The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre

Cancer patient’s positive spirit encourages support for Dry July in western Sydney – “I owe them my life”

Western Sydney Local Health District patient, 78-year-old, Diana, was first diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in March this year and underwent a mastectomy.

She was treated at The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) at Westmead Hospital and thankfully hasn’t had any problems since her radiation treatment.

The grandmother is sharing her story to encourage as many people as possible to donate to Dry July which provides funding for support services and equipment to improve the experience of cancer patients, their families and carers – and – funds go direct into the CPMCC!

What’s interesting about this patient’s story is her outlook on her situation.

Diana said “You can get through anything in life if you’re positive. I’ve been positive from the very beginning”.

I get more emotional about children or young mums with cancer. That hurts me more than I hurt myself. I’ve lived a good life”.

Diana is thankful for her time at the CPMCC and encourages donations for Dry July to the centre saying, “it was fantastic from the time I walked into the front door until I finished my treatment”.

“The staff were very efficient and also incredibly bright and happy so maybe that’s what made me feel good although my husband says I’m just happy because of him (laughs)”.

“The dedication to me was outstanding and I feel I owe them a lot. I owe them my life. To raise money for their services would be absolutely wonderful”.

Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages you to go alcohol-free in July to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

The funds raised provide invaluable services to the CPMCC – whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs or a bed close to treatment.

Stefani was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 and is sharing her story this Dry July:

“I was diagnosed in December 2021 after self-detection.... I saw a small lump and acted on it right away.

I had all of my treatments at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) at Westmead Hospital. I have felt so confident in all the recommendations my doctors and nurses have made and believe it has helped in my journey and recovery.

The doctors, nurses, registrars, all the health professionals I have had dealings with have made one of the scariest and anxiety fuelled time of my life that much easier. They smile, they have a chat, they make you feel so comfortable and answer your questions.

A massive thank you to everyone who works there and the best of luck to those taking part in Dry July! I’ve done it myself a few times, but it’s just that much more personal now. It is so beautiful to see so many people getting involved to make a difference for their patients, past, present and future."

Thanks to the amazing Dry Julyers and donors, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead has installed the MRI Sky ceiling in Radiation Oncology.

The project helps the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead patients to be able to look up at the backlit panels that feature various outdoor scenes, creating the illusion they are looking through the ceiling to the sky or into the ocean.

It is a powerful therapeutic factor in bringing comfort and genuine relief to the patient during scanning sessions.

We are extremely grateful for the difference you’ve made!  

Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of Dry July participants, Westmead Hospital’s Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre will be undergoing the following facility upgrades to help make a difficult time, a little easier for people affected by cancer:

• New Seating in Clinic Consult Rooms – to replace torn/worn seating

• IPAD/speaker on stand for Video interpreter calls in infusional Therapy Unit x 3 – these will help improve communication with CALD background patients (a high demographic in Western Sydney) during their chemotherapy treatment

• Recliner Bariatric Chair to increase comfort for obese patients

• Tower Fans. Often patients in treatment get febrile/hot and sweaty – these will be effective in keeping these patients comfortable.

• X-Men Exercise Larger Weights. A program DJF funded last year. Heavier weights for patients who are much fitter / progressing in the exercise program having these heavier weights available for their use will aide in their recovery

• Floral Arrangements

• Complimentary Artworks in Patient areas

Terry Limnidis is a patient undergoing cancer treatment at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead. As part Terry’s treatment for cancer he is having radiation therapy which involves lying alone in a darkened room under a treatment machine every day for the duration of treatment.

The Radiation Therapists saw a real need for providing the option to their patients of a diversion in the form of an iPad loaded with their favourite music to listen to whilst having radiation therapy. Dry July supported the start-up of the “Music in the Bunker” project and has continued to fund it for the past few years. “Being able to listen to some of my favourite music whilst in the radiation bunker really comforts me while I’m receiving my treatment. Thank you for making the Music in the Bunker Programme available.”

Programmes like the “Music in the Bunker” are just some of the fantastic patient-centred initiatives funded by the Dry July organisation at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead.