Our Teams Going Dry. Giving Hope. Making a Difference. 💛
This July, our incredible staff have come together with passion and purpose, proudly signing up for Dry July in support of Eastern Health Cancer Services. Your commitment, captured in this collage, represents more than giving something up, it represents standing up for patients, families, and our community.
A huge shoutout to our Cancer Services team, who have already raised an amazing $5,000+, and to the ISS Facility Services teams, contributing an impressive $2,000+. Your dedication is truly inspiring.
To every staff member who has signed up, donated, and supported this cause, we say thank you. Together, we’ve nearly reached $10,000, halfway to our goal, and every dollar brings comfort, care, and support to those who need it most.
Let’s...
Support through Dry July fosters a sense of connection for our cancer patients.
Professor Brian Le, Director of the RMH Palliative Care Unit, says Dry July is about so much more than giving up alcohol – it’s about giving comfort, dignity and support to cancer patients and their families when they need it most:
“Every bit helps. Our patients and families are often doing it a bit harder than we are. Every contribution helps improve dignity, comfort and wellbeing.”
This year, the RMH Foundation is raising funds for patient-focussed projects and equipment to directly help cancer care, including:
Patient Care Packs
Medical equipment - including devices which help clinicians locate veins more easily
Exercise equipment for patients
Whether you sign up for Dry July, donate to a participant, or share the campaign with your...
Spreading Awareness and Going Dry for a Cause: Brenton's Story
After being diagnosed with oral cancer in 2020, Brenton knows first-hand how important early detection can be.
“My dentist noticed a small white spot and advised me to have it looked at. This early intervention was crucial in the cancer not spreading, however, I still required several surgeries and missed months of work. As of February 2026, I am now 5 years clear and no longer considered 'at risk' and I am hoping to spread awareness so others can avoid going through the same.”
Brenton gave up alcohol for the month of March to support people affected by Head and Neck Cancer.
"Not drinking for the month was a nice break and thankfully my friends really got behind me and didn't pressure me to join them which was a big help! The daily...
Life After Lymphoma: Travis's Story
Life after a lymphoma diagnosis feels like a reset you never asked for. Lonely, exhausting, and completely different to the life you knew before.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in May 2025 and reached remission in September after intensive chemotherapy. But remission doesn't mean life suddenly goes back to normal. Finding my "new normal" is still something I work through every day.
People often say starting over means starting from experience, not from scratch. But cancer feels deeper than that. You're not just rebuilding your life; you're rediscovering yourself. Your perspective shifts, your body feels fragile, your brain doesn't work the way it used to, and at times it can feel incredibly isolating.
One thing I've realised is that...
Dry July Funding Helps Patients Leave a Lasting Legacy Through Art
At Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Mercy Hospice, something special is happening through the Fig Tree Day Hospice Program. It’s not clinical or structured in the usual sense, it’s simply about people and their stories.
Through an Arts Health installation project kindly funded by Dry July and its supporters, patients living with advanced cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, along with their families, are given the chance to create, reflect and share what matters most to them. For many, it becomes a way to tell their story and leave something behind. At its core, this project is about storytelling.
In the Fig Tree Program, art has a way of gently opening people up. It might start with something simple but it often grows into something much...
Dry July 2025: Supporting Safer Chemotherapy Delivery
Dedicated dressing trolleys play an important role in enhancing the safety, comfort, and overall experience of patients receiving chemotherapy within the Cancer Day Care Suite (CDCS).
These trolleys provide a clean, organised, and dedicated space for the preparation and safe transport of essential medical equipment and supplies, ensuring that everything required for treatment is readily available at the point of care.
For patients, this means less disruption, reduced waiting times, and a smoother, more reassuring treatment journey. The structured use of dressing trolleys also supports strict infection prevention practices, which is especially vital for individuals with compromised immune systems.
By enabling nurses to deliver care...
Dry July 2025: Protecting Patients and Improving Care at CPMCC
We are proud to acknowledge that this essential equipment has been made possible through funds raised in the Dry July 2025 Campaign, reflecting a shared commitment to improving patient safety, comfort, and the efficiency of care delivery.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) storage plays a vital role in safeguarding our patients, particularly within the Oncology ward where individuals are often immunocompromised. Patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy are significantly more vulnerable to infections, making stringent infection prevention practices essential to their care and recovery.
The use of dedicated PPE stands supports a safer clinical environment by minimising the risk of contamination. By storing PPE off the ground and...
Indigenous art promoting social cohesion in Cancer Centre
AN IMPROVED CANCER INFORMATION PROGRAM
Thank you to everyone who took part in Dry July 2025, supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (ONJ Centre)!
By participating in Dry July 2025, you have supported the ONJ Centre in providing a welcoming space where patients can access reliable, consumer-approved cancer information to support their journey. This service is available to all patients at the ONJ Centre, ensuring they have the knowledge, tools, and support to navigate treatment.
Since reopening and extending its hours, the cancer information lounge has experienced a notable rise in patient and visitor engagement, driven by a range of enhancements designed to improve the overall patient experience.
In 2025, the lounge space was revamped, with furniture...