Helping people affected by cancer

A Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse is appointed in Launceston, Tasmania

Tasmanians impacted by prostate cancer now have increased access to a dedicated Prostate Cancer Specialist thanks to funds raised by Dry July Participants.

Jennifer Siemsen is a dedicated prostate cancer specialist nurse at Launceston General Hospital. Her position will expand the availability of the services to help more men and their families. This position will provide care and support across the North and North West of Tasmania.

Jennifer said she was pleased with this service increase to allow better coverage of the local demand for care: “I am delighted to be taking on this role to support and empower prostate cancer patients and their families in understanding and managing the often-difficult decisions, concerns and anxieties around...

Transport to Treatment in Alice Springs

There are a number of reasons patients have difficulty attending appointments with doctors, for procedures or treatment including:

-inability to use public transport due to weakened immune system

- not holding a drivers licence

- unable to drive due to treatment or medication side effects

- limited family or social support networks

- unable to access public or community transport

- financial hardship that prohibits the use of public transport or taxis.

Thanks to funds received from Dry July Foundation in 2018, a transport to Treatment vehicle has been purchased to help these patients. Knowing they have a reliable service to get them to and from treatment will certainly make a difficult time, a little easier for those affected by cancer.

Patient Update: Rob's Story

Rob was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and underwent surgery and radiotherapy the same year. Since then, Rob has used a feeding tube, attached to his stomach via a pump which he carries around with him in a backpack. He has not let this hinder his ability to get in to the great outdoors, making sure all his supplies are mobile to suit his active lifestyle. His cancer reoccurred in 2018 and he has been back at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre on a regular basis for further treatment.

Rob has enjoyed attending the Wellness Centre’s Dry July free patient programs, as he finds them to be extremely beneficial in helping him through his treatment – physically and emotionally. He has experienced oncology massage and reflexology, and has taken...

Creative Legacy Program features on TODAY!

Creative Legacy, the award winning arts and health project with Liverpool Hospitals’ Palliative Care service, continues to both evolve and delight. Thanks to grant funding from the 2018 Dry July Foundation, this year the program has trained 12 local professional artists in palliative care in the practice of legacy making with patients and families in palliative care. The program offers connection and joy through conversation and art making. The program was recently featured on channel 9's TODAY show and you can viewhere.

This year saw 5 new artists on the ward as well as several returning artists from the previously funded 'Reflected Legacy' project. New artists on the ward this year needed to be local and to be able to adapt their own...

Another successful BBQ at Nepean Cancer Care Centre!

Thanks to everyone who supported our Breakfast BBQ on Thursday 25 July 2019 at Nepean Hospital.

With your help we raised over $2,000 to support our campaign for improving the treatment experience of people living with cancer. Add this to our existing total and we could be nudged into third place on the leader board!

Support us in this final week of Dry July by making a donation to the Nepean Cancer Carers – every little bit counts!

Finding confidence again through gentle yoga

Cancer diagnosis and treatment is one of the most stressful experiences in patients’ lives and presents challenges for them both physically and emotionally. Thanks to funding from Dry July, a six-week Gentle Yoga program is helping patients regain physical and emotional confidence.

“Yoga enables me to feel better physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually,” says Jackie Edsall, diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2018. “I find yoga provides very necessary soul food for me.”

Melissa Shand is a Gentle Yoga instructor at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) and says yoga can be instrumental in helping patients manage the stress of cancer treatment.

“There is growing evidence of the...

In 2018 Dry July Foundation funded 450 Look Good Feel Better workshops

Following the success of the 2018 Dry July campaign, Dry July Foundation funded 450 Look Good Feel Better workshops helping men and women going through cancer treatment feel more like their normal selves. Here's what some of the participants had to say:

“The Look Good Feel Better workshop felt like a huge reward at the end of my treatment. It encouraged me to move forward with renewed confidence. I also felt humbled to see other women, travelling a far harder and longer road, blossom and laugh in the nurturing environment of Look Good Feel Better.” Susan, past participant

“This experience was way above my expectations. It was fantastic to be amongst other ladies who were going through similar experiences to myself and to have the genuine...

BBQ success despite the rain!

Thanks to Les Hill, Emu Plains Lions Club, Woolworths Penrith, Bunnings Penrith, Health Professionals Bank, volunteers, and everyone who came to our BBQ fundraiser today. We raised a total of $778.60 – not bad for a rainy day! Keep those donations coming and help us reach and then smash our goal!

2018 Grant funding update: Mildura-based McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Louise James

In 2018, Dry July Foundation awarded a grant to McGrath Foundation to continue the placement of an existing McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

Louise James is a McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse, based in Mildura, VIC. Louise has said, “I provide support to people with breast cancer and their families, coordinating their care and unpacking medical jargon so that each person understands what is happening. I give people time. Time to understand their diagnosis, time to decide on the right treatment for them and time to appreciate their timeline. I’m also incredibly passionate about breast health understanding and encourage people to get to know their bodies so that they know what is normal for them. Thanks to the support of the Dry July...