Helping people affected by cancer

Dreams2Live4 can make dreams come true for adults living with metastatic cancer thanks to Dry July fundraising

Thanks to your Dry July fundraising, you have helped Dreams2Live4 to continue to make dreams come true across every Australian state and territory.

A dream changes lives. Because of you, adults (17+) living with metastatic cancer, relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukaemia and high-grade brain tumours will have the chance to dream, a chance to have something special to focus on, away from the endless treatments and medical procedures.

‘’Dreams2Live4 brings the person out of the patient. It gives people a sense of self. A sense of achievement. And they often find themselves doing something that they had only dreamed they could do. It has a remarkable impact,” said Dr Ralph McConaghy, Medical Director Palliative Care Service, The Wesley...

Carolina's Story

"When you have your cancer diagnosis, you worry about what will happen to you, but when you have a dream to look forward to, it’s a life change.’’ Carolina, Dreamer.

When Carolina was a baby she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Thankfully, she responded to treatment and for the next 38 years was cancer free. Then Carolina’s life turned upside down when she received the news that cancer had returned.

‘’When I got the news, it was devasting, I couldn’t believe it. The cancer changed not only my life but also my husband’s life. Roberto is always there for me and I know he suffers a lot. When I found out about Dreams2Live4 it gave me hope and the chance to have something to look forward to with Roberto,’’ said Carolina.

‘...

Leilani's Story

Leilani was only 20 years old when she first became aware that there might be something wrong.

One day, she felt a lump in her collarbone while at work. Leilani wasn’t sure what it was and she didn’t want to immediately assume it would be cancer... she was so young, she didn’t know anyone her age who had cancer, she thought “surely it can’t be?”. She only had a year or two before graduating uni and starting the next chapter of her life. But just in case, she went to the GP to get it checked.

More lumps began to appear and she needed a biopsy immediately. Leilani was then diagnosed with stage three lymphoma which had unfortunately spread from her lymph nodes near her right collarbone, to her shoulder and stomach.

"I didn’t immediately...

Your support means Canteen can continue helping young cancer patients stay connected

Statistics have shown that less than half of young cancer patients have high confidence of achieving their education goals and even fewer – less than a third – have high confidence of achieving their employment goals. Your support is helping us change that.

By participating and fundraising in Dry July this year, you are helping Canteen to continue their work in helping young cancer patients stay connected to study or work, both during and after their cancer treatment through Canteen’s Education and Career Support Service (ECS).

Last year, around 200 young patients were supported through the ECS, assisting young cancer patients to identify their vocational goals and values and developing individualised support plans to help them achieve...

Maddison's Story

22-year-old animal lover, Maddison Walker’s dream, is to become a Zookeeper, and a blood cancer diagnosis isn’t getting in her way

In July 2019, Maddison Walker was on her way to achieving her dream job — becoming a Zookeeper. After moving to QLD six months earlier, Maddison and her mother were both settling into their new life in the Sunshine State.

“I was still looking for work in QLD as we had only been there six months. I have always been very passionate about animals. I spent a lot of days at home with my pets, taking my dogs to the park, and spending time with family and my partner at the time.”

Maddison didn’t know what was coming next would change her life forever.

“I have hypothyroidism and regularly get my blood tested to check...

Wollongong Hospital launch their Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions virtually

With face to face sessions cancelled due to the pandemic, our Clinical Psychology team worked to reinvent our Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions, designed for patients who have completed their treatment. We were so excited to launch our six week pilot program, virtually, in October 2021!

Classes were capped at eight participants to ensure an intimate experience. Psychologists Susan and Donna described the sessions as ‘therapeutic, rather than supportive in style, covering a range of themes to help reduce stress, facilitate coping, and encourage participants to engage more fully in their life despite uncertainty and distress”

To truly immerse themselves in the sessions, each participant received a carefully curated Dry July...

Choices Cancer Care Centre can continue to offer its Gym Maintenance Program to cancer patients

Thanks to the ongoing support from Dry July Foundation, and the funds raised through Dry July 2021, the Choices Cancer Care Centre is able to continue to offer its Gym Maintenance Program to cancer patients who comes to Choices centre.

The Choices Cancer Care Centre provides each participant with a tailored program specific to the type of surgery and treatment they are receiving or have received. Their programs are updated as participant’s progress through their first 6-week sessions and then move into the gym maintenance group sessions for an additional 3 months.

Our specialised exercise physiologist Sarah has shared her experience on the impacts that this program provides,

“This program demonstrates significant physical, social and...

Helping more Australians understand the signs and symptoms of upper GI cancers

Thanks to your support, you’ve helped Pancare develop a series of animated videos that help educate about the signs and symptoms of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers – pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.

Upper GI cancers often go undiagnosed in the early stages due to the presentation of vague symptoms such as nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness. Currently, no early detection tests are available.

Pancare’s new animation series will help individuals be able to identify and take action on any unusual or persistent symptoms and consult their GP for review before it’s too late.

Your Dry July fundraising has helped grow Pancare's specialist cancer nursing program

Your Dry July fundraising has helped employ two new specialist upper GI cancer nurses to support the needs of Australians diagnosed and living with pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.

Our team of dedicated nurses in our PanSupport program are there for patients and their families through all stages of their cancer journey. From coping with a recent diagnosis, understanding treatment options or managing symptoms, our team provide practical support at a time when it’s needed most.

On behalf of Pancare Foundation and our team of specialist upper GI cancer nurses, thank you for helping us be there to support more Australians living with these devasting cancers.