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...
Patient Arthur Cranston on CCQ's Interlodge Transport Service
By Ellie Williams on
Funds raised from Dry July directly benefits thousands of Queenslanders impacted by cancer. Last year, your funds helped Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) offer an Interlodge Transport Service to regional cancer patients staying at accommodation lodges in Cairns, Townsville, South Brisbane, and Herston.
The free service transports patients and their carers from our lodges to local treatment facilities, as well as to and from airports and major transit centres. Each year CCQ's Interlodge Transport Service provides more than 10,000 patient and carer transport trips, helping to ease some of the financial burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
Rockhampton local Arthur Cranston was one of many Queenslanders who used the...
Meet Amy, one of many inspirational Royal Melbourne cancer patients
By Dry July on
Being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was a huge shock to Amy and her family. Amy went to her doctor for some chest pain and a few days later she 
found herself beginning chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, Amy underwent a bone marrow transplant and thankfully, is on the road to recovery. It was a long and painful process and she was scared, but Amy said that if it wasn’t for the support of her loving family, and the wonderful staff at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, she wouldn’t be here today.
“Please support The Royal Melbourne this Dry July. It’s a great way to help RMH cancer patients and services. They need all the resources that they can get. The more resources they get the more comfortable the patients are and it makes a real...
Patient Ruth Armes on CCQ's Cancer Counselling Service
By Dry July on
By going booze-free and fundraising for Cancer Council Queensland, you will directly impact the lives of thousands of Queenslanders affected by cancer.
In 2016, all funds raised for CCQ will benefit the charity’s unique Cancer Counselling Service through a refurbishment project for the counselling rooms.
This vital service, staffed by nurse counsellors and psychologists, provides counselling and support at no out-of-pocket cost to cancer patients, survivors, and their friends and family.
Last year the vital service received more than 1,400 referrals for counselling and provided support to more than 1600 Queenslanders through around 3400 client and therapy sessions.
Brisbane local Ruth Armes used the service after...
Thanks to you
By Dry July on
Thanks to you – an incredible new resource for patients and families
Gabby Wynne, Clinical Psychologist, is a new face in the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre. As a direct result of funds raised by Dry July participants supporting the ONJ Centre, Gabby will provide an accessible service for outpatients, carers and families who need expert psychological support.
“A cancer diagnosis and treatment is an incredibly stressful time,” says Gabby. “Quite often people need help to better manage all of the emotions associated with cancer: anxiety, stress, sadness, worry about relationships, fear of recurrence and grief.”
In addition to being available for consultations for patients and carers, Gabby will also design and run group...
Former cancer patient Shane Maher urges everyone to sign-up for Dry July
By Dry July on
A former Eltham basketball coach is urging everyone to give up alcohol and raise funds for cancer support as he embarks on his own road to recovery. 
Shane Maher was treated for lymphoma at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre two years ago and says that without the centre, his outlook would be very different.
Shane coached three teams at the Eltham Wildcats prior to his diagnosis, and led an active lifestyle.
“It was a shock,” Shane said. “I first had a tumour in my sinus which is very rare. My teeth started aching so I went to the dentist, who couldn’t find anything wrong. They thought it may have been one particular tooth so they pulled that one, and while I was under [anaesthetic] they took a blood sample. And...
2016 Patient Ambassador: Rochelle Gengaroli
By Dry July on
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...
National Volunteer Week
By Dry July on
In celebration of National Volunteer Week we’d like to shout out to the amazing volunteers who give their time to help support people affected by cancer.
In our network this includes volunteer therapists at Solariscare Foundation, certified cosmetic, beauty and hairdressing professionals at Look Good Feel Better - Australia, drivers for Cancer Council Australia Transport 2 Treatment services, and thousands of volunteers who give their time at public hospitals and other facilities across the country.
Thank you from Dry July!