How We Help
When you're diagnosed with cancer, it's hard to find the time or energy to think about anything other than treating the cancer. Dry July raises money to ease that burden, reduce stress and add a bit of comfort for those affected by cancer.
Everything we fund is to benefit the cancer patient and their families and carers. We aim to make a difficult time, a little easier for those affected by cancer.
To see the full list of cancer support organisations we fund, please click here.
Funding for the Cancer Services Guide
A guide to support services for Victorians affected by cancer.
Finding the right support when they need it most is important to the overall wellbeing of cancer patients, families and carers as they manage the news of a diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer.
The Cancer Services guide can help cancer patients, and their friends and family find support services that suits situation.
Including over 470 services, any one, with any cancer, at any stage can find something useful in this guide.
Cancer Council Victoria has released a new Cancer Services Guide, thanks to Dry July funding.
Making a real difference to the lives of cancer patients
This July, a dedicated group of fundraisers supported St Vincent's Hospital Cancer Centre through the Dry July campaign. This committed bunch raised a staggering $41,000 which will enable St Vincent’s Hospital to purchase a scalp cooling cap for patient’s going through chemotherapy.
The scalp cooling cap reduces the risk of hair loss during chemotherapy. By decreasing the scalp temperature and blood flow to hair follicles, the cooling caps alleviate the damage of chemotherapy.
This new piece of equipment will significantly transform people’s lives living with cancer by improving their self-confidence and dignity during this difficult time.
Along with the scalp cooling cap, Dry July donations will also be used to purchase patient comforts...
Dry July Funds linen and lighting refit for Lodge in Toowoomba
Olive McMahon lodge Toowoomba
During treatment, some guests often do not feel strong enough physically or emotionally to interact with other guests. Rooms become a personal haven for patients and their carers. these rooms were in need of an upgrade to the line and lighting.
Hospitality grade soft furnishings have been chosen for service and wearability, whilst offering warmth, comfort and a sense of luxury. Lamps with a solid base will be chosen to ensure stability and safety.
Music in bunkers for CPMCC Patients
Thanks to funds raised by Dry July, The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead have been able to purchase iPads for their radiation treatment rooms, to entertain and distract patients during treatment.
During radiation treatment, patients are alone in the room for treatment whilst therapists control treatment from outside. The iPads mean that patients can select their own music to help make the treatment space for comfortable, and is more calming than the quiet, clinical environment usually found in radiotherapy bunkers.
The music has helped patients reduce anxiety and take their mind off the daily treatment, making them more relaxed.
There has been great feedback from the iPads, and many requests for a large range of music genre...
Mater patient, Carolyn, benefits from cooling cap
When Carolyn Attwood was facing chemotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, one of her first questions was whether she would lose her hair.
“I was devastated when I was told I would,” she recalled.
“Hair is a sign of health and life and normalcy. I loved my hair. It was really long and losing it made me feel like people would stare at me in the street, and that my friends, family and co-workers wouldn’t see a bright, confident person anymore—just a weak, sick person.”
Carolyn, then 34, underwent surgery to remove her breast and lymph nodes at Mater Private Hospital Springfield—where she also works as a bookings officer—and prepared herself for five rounds of chemotherapy.
Fortunately, there was some good news.
She was offered...
Mindfulness program in regional Queensland - Thanks to Dry July
Cancer Council Queensland’s Introduction to mindfulness Workshop is an interactive, skills based workshop that has been designed to support people who are facing cancer related challenges. In this half day program, participants learn more about what mindfulness is, and are introduced to mindfulness skills that can help them to be more present in their lives and spend less time worrying about the past or the future.
Some comments from the Wide Bay/Bundaberg session :
Which aspects of the workshop did you find most helpful?
"The complete program "
"Exercises, meditation and discussing issues with other people in the group. "
"I found it all helpful. "
"How to help myself unwind. "
"All! The practising of being mindful – breathing eating and...
Monique's story
Doctors have told Monique Bareham that she is cancer-free. But she’ll never really be free of cancer.
Like so many cancer survivors, the effects of the disease and the years of treatment continue to impact her each day – physically, mentally, financially and on employment and relationships.
At 36, Monique led a busy life, was dedicated to her career, and had plans for a family.
But Monique says it all came to a “grinding halt” when she found a lump in her breast.
“The days went from being normal to being aboard the cancer train,” Monique, now 45, says.
There were multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and courses of hormone and other drug therapies.
She also developed breast cancer related lymphoedema which has permanently left...
Reflected legacy at Liverpool Hospital - funded by Dry July
Reflected legacy is a groundbreaking arts and health program at Liverpool Hospital. Led by visual artist Flutter Lyon, this project compliments the holistic care of cancer patients in palliative care, while enhancing and changing the physical environment for patients, families and staff on the ward.
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 story telling 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 challenging time in our lives, encouraging the recall of memories and key points in our life that we...
Tonya's story
This year Tonya celebrates 30 years since she was first treated for breast cancer at Westmead in 1987. She was diagnosed with another breast cancer in 2014 and is still going strong.
She has been blown away by some of the things that have been purchased with Dry July funds and would have loved to have had those things when she was undergoing treatment. She was very impressed with the new treatment gowns for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy and said that would have made such a big difference at the time she was having treatment and remembered how difficult it was with the old hospital gowns. When she had her chemotherapy she had a hard backed uncomfortable chair that she had to sit in for hours. She was in awe of the...