Helping people affected by cancer

Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our Dry July participants every year, the Dry July Foundation is able to help local and national cancer support organisations across Australia deliver practical, tangible support services for people affected by cancer.

Everything we fund is to benefit cancer patients, their families and carers, aiming to make a difficult time, a little easier for people affected by cancer.

A shoulder to lean on. A comforting voice. A place to relax. This is why we Dry July.

Register your interest for Dry July 2024

Where the money goes

Male cancer support worker on the phone, smiling
Information and Support Services

McGrath Foundation breast care nurse and a patient
Specialist Cancer Nurses

People lying down on yoga mats in a class
Wellness Programs

Brown chemotherapy chairs in a cancer centre
Cancer Centre Improvements

Cancer Council car outside Cancer Council Tasmania building
Accommodation and Transport

Woman looking in a mirror smiling
Comfort and Support Items


Organisations we support

The Dry July Foundation is proud to support numerous cancer organisations across Australia.

Some of the organisations who benefit from our fundraising include:

Bowel Cancer Australia logo

Cancer Council logo

Leukaemia Foundation logo

McGrath Foundation logo

Ovarian Cancer Australia logo

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia logo

To see the full list of cancer support organisations we fund, please click here.

Calvary Mater Newcastle are very appreciative for two new ultrasound machines purchased for the Day Treatment Centre

Patients attending the Day Treatment Centre have regular cannulations for their chemotherapy treatment and for some patients this can be a long and uncomfortable experience.

Day Treatment Centre Nurse Unit Manager, Marissa Ledlin, comments, “Overtime, because of frequent cannulations and treatment, patients’ veins can become more problematic to cannulate. These new ultrasound machines can significantly cut back the number of attempts when staff are faced with a difficult cannulation, relieving unnecessary stress and time for our patients.”

Breast cancer patient, Tamie Geosits, has been receiving chemotherapy for almost a year. In the past, there have been occasions where cannulations have been difficult, Tamie has endured long attempts...

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If there is one thing that 202O showed us it is that we all crave connection, and that music is such a strong vehicle for that connection.

We are so grateful to the Dry July Foundation for their support to help us create mini portable recording set ups, for us to expand on our therapeutic songwriting session with people living with cancer and their families- and literally help us ‘bring the studio session’ to them.

If there is one thing that 202O showed us it is that we all crave connection, and that music is such a strong vehicle for that connection. During our lockdowns we see the impact of how hard it is to be alone for everyone and this is magnified for all our patients. Often people living with cancer are isolated in their treatment without the pandemic, so add one in, and things are really, really, tough. Music therapy has been in high demand and we had to find ways...

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A HUGE thank you to our Dry July fundraisers of 2019 for providing two portable Lumify Ultrasound systems

This equipment provides our wonderful Oncology nurses the chance to cannulate those patients having treatment in the very busy Cancer Day Unit with difficult venous access the first time and make this the best attempt! This causes less distress to patients.

We purchased 4 tablets that work in conjunction with these machines and support staff training. The cost of the bundles included training from the supplier to "super users" clinical nurses who have developed a program to train all required staff on the use of this equipment.

Oncology and Haematology patients receive long term treatments which can involve multiple cannulations with difficult peripheral access. Their veins can be compromised by chemotherapy, surgical procedures...

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In 2020, the staff of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne fundraised an incredible $5,000

The power of a united effort

Staff from St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne 6th Floor created a team for Dry July 2020. Together, the nine team members raised over $5,000. These funds will go towards purchasing much needed items and even a few extra comforts for patients receiving treatment for cancer at St Vincent’s.

2020 was the first year the 6th Floor created a team for Dry July. Leader of the team and Registered Nurse, Kate Gore, gave us an insight into her team’s experiences.

What inspired you to get a team together for Dry July?

Our patients inspired us to get involved. We are a specialised Oncology, Haematology and Palliative Care ward, so our patients benefit greatly from the Dry July campaign. They go through a tough journey during...

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Flinders Foundation purchase a new FibroScan machine for the Flinders Medical Centre Hepatology and Liver Unit

Patients at Flinders Medical Centre, and across regional and remote South Australia, are now receiving the monitoring they need to help detect liver cancer before it’s too late…thanks to Dry July!

This state-of-the art equipment provides a non-invasive way of assessing the amount of fibrosis or scarring in a liver, without the need for an invasive liver biopsy.

The amount of fibrosis is a critical risk factor for liver cancer, and by detecting liver issues earlier through a FibroScan, more treatments and enrolment in a cancer surveillance program can be initiated to give patients the best chance of a good outcome.

Professor Alan Wigg, Head of Flinders’ Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Medicine Unit, said in the few short months since...

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Brendan, a patient of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, shares his story

Your Dry July fundraising helps St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne provide optimal comfort and support to their patients undergoing treatment; people like Brendan.

You can watch Brendan's story here: www.dryjuly.com/2020/brendans-story

Sign up to Dry July and support St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne to help more people like Brendan here

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By partipating in Dry July, you could help raise funds for The Alfred so people like Lisa can access to patient accommodation

Lisa has three grown children and lives with her husband Shane in Mildura, a 6-hour drive from Melbourne. Her and her husband have a morning ritual to get up early and go for a walk along the beautiful Murray River. In late 2019 & early 2020 it became increasingly difficult to go for those walks.

She says, “I was just in so much pain, those morning walks became impossible.”

When physio and pilates made no difference, Lisa went to her doctor. After a series of tests and scans she received the devastating diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma – A type of blood cancer.

For her more complex care needs and treatment, Lisa needed to make the long trips to Melbourne. While so far from the comforts of home, Lisa was lucky to have access to the...

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Meet the Wren family, BRICC's ambassadors for Dry July 2021

Shayne and Denise Wren have both accessed the programs on offer at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) Wellness Centre during their cancer treatments. Both Shayne and Denise can not speak highly enough of the many complimentary services that are on offer to all patients. Their daughter Gabrielle is also on board, she reflects on how beneficial the Centre has been for their family during the most challenging of times.

We thank the Wren’s for their support in helping raise awareness and in turn, helping cover costs of the services on offer at the Wellness Centre that is proudly 100% funded by community.


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Your fundraising has helped Choices Cancer Support Centre support people like Meg

Meg Welchman was diagnosed at age 37, just months after the birth of her second child, with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She has survived a further five devastating recurrences of cancer since then and has found that a mix of chemotherapy, courage, connection and creativity all help her to continue living well.

Meg began attending art classes at Choices in 2010 which she says is "A great way to connect with others in a similar situation whilst meditatively moving colour around a page".

"Cancer can fill you full of fear and Choices has helped in keeping me well mentally and physically - with counselling, art and yoga". Most of these classes are funded through the proceeds of Dry July campaigns, which is why it is so important...
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