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...
A Message from Shannon Anderson: Our First Dry July
This year marks Melanoma Patients Australia’s first as a Dry July beneficiary, and I am proud to share why this partnership is so important to the people we support.
Each year, more than 18,000 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma. For many, the diagnosis is sudden and overwhelming, bringing fear, uncertainty and a pressing need for clear, trustworthy information about what comes next.
Access to the right information at the right time can be life changing. Funds raised through Dry July will directly support our patient education and trusted resources. These are central to our national support programs and our mission to ensure that no one affected by melanoma walks alone.
Through our education programs and resources, our specialist...
1,920 People Facing Rare Cancers receive personalised care Thanks to your support in 2025
Funds raised from Dry July in 2025 helped Rare Cancers Australia continue to provide truly personalised, unique support for people diagnosed with rare and less common cancers.
Our team of dedicated Specialist Cancer Navigators do whatever it takes to ease the burden of a rare cancer diagnosis. They connect people with information, treatment options, peer support and other services, as well as providing a steady presence and listening ear through every stage of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Demand for our support continues to grow. In our Cancer Lived Experience Survey conducted last year, 60% of respondents with a rare or less common cancer said they would have liked access to a supportive care navigator. However, just 24%...