News
Latest updates from Dry July
For media enquiries, please contact [email protected] or (02) 9247 6691
Reflected Legacy Palliative Care Program at Liverpool Hospital
By Dry July on
Dry July is thrilled to be able to support ‘Reflected Legacy’, a ground breaking arts and health program at Liverpool Hospital. This program received funding from Dry July’s 2015 Grant Program.
Lead by visual artist Flutter Lyon, this project complements the holistic care of cancer patients in palliative care, while enhancing and changing the physical environment for patients, families and staff on the ward.
How the Program Works
Flutter Lyon hosts Pressing Sessions in patient rooms; profound, interactive experiences between the artist and the patient that combine storytelling and art making. Through a series of questions and storytelling exercises Flutter captures the life stories of people in the last days and weeks of their life in unique Ink-Pressing artworks and sound recordings, which are then given to the patient and their family as a gift of art and legacy.
Why the Program Exists
Connection. Insight. Healing.
When we tell our stories, it gives us a way of sharing and reflecting upon the life we are living. Free expression and storytelling in this setting offers a deepened sense of connection to the value and meaning of our individual and shared life experiences.
It can bring comfort, celebration and beauty during a challenging time in our lives, encouraging the recall of memories and key points in our life that we have felt free, joyous, loving and loved, strong and hopeful. By remembering what we have done and seeing the powerful nature of our human experience, it can help empower us to find the strength and bravery we might desire now.
What the Program Does
This powerful experience, when taken into the palliative care space, provides tangible outcomes:
- patients report improvements to their mood, pain management, appetite and sleep patterns;
- families report feeling uplifted and more connected; and
- staff report new insights into patient care and a greater sense of support and resilience within the ward environment
Who the Project is For
Patients and loved ones engaged in the Palliative Care services at Liverpool Hospital.
Charles Schembri and his family
This story was originally posted on Flutter Lyon’s Facebook Page.
For media enquiries, please contact [email protected] or (02) 9247 6691
You may also like
Dry July 2016 a success
By Samii Avdic on
Over 16,700 Australians embarked on their Dry July journey in 2016, giving up alcohol for the month in order to raise funds for adults living with cancer.
So far, their combined efforts have raised $3.59 million, which will be used to ease the burden, reduce stress, and add comfort for those affected by cancer. The way Dry July achieves this is by funding support services such as hospital transport, patient accommodation, free Wi-Fi, and mobile phone chargers. The aim is to help in ways that may not be front of mind following a cancer diagnosis, and in turn hopefully reducing anxiety for patients.
Previously, services such as wellness programs, wig libraries and complementary therapies including meditation and art therapy have been funded...
Dry July Shave Off
By Samii Avdic on
Mark Udovitch, along with the team at the Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, held their Dry July Shave Off on Friday as their own personal take on the Dry July challenge.
Mark is a radiation therapist at the centre, and was inspired to grow out his hair when one of his patients told him that losing hers was more daunting than losing her breasts to her cancer.
Mark then decided to grow his hair long enough for it to be donated to a wig library for patients, which was done on the 29th July. To showcase the exact hair that he would be donating, Mark decided to create a campaign that would also raise money for Dry July, which involved him impersonating other fellow long-haired celebrities. His impressions include Kim Kardashian, Kate...
Transport 2 Treatment
By Dry July on
Dry July is proud to fund a number of Transport to Treatment services across Australia.
Those who are diagnosed with cancer and live in regional and outer metropolitan areas often experience difficulties in getting to cancer related appointments. Some do not have access to a vehicle, others are simply too unwell to drive. Or alternatively some find it stressful to drive in to the city, especially older people, this in turn increases their distress associated with treatment or appointments.
Rockhampton local Arthur Cranston was one of many Queenslanders who used the service this year as part of Cancer Council Queensland's Interlodge Transport Service.
Arthur and his wife Helen stayed at CCQ’s Charles Wanstall Apex Lodge in Brisbane for more...