Your Support for Canberra Hospital in 2021 has made a significant Difference to the Health and Wellbeing of the Canberra Community
Last year in 2021, our amazing community raised $40,000 through their commitment to Dry July and to supporting people in our community affected by cancer. This enabled us to support people affected by cancer in the Canberra community, through the Therapeutic Harp Program which brings the benefits of soothing music, floral arrangements to brighten the clinical spaces, and tea trolley service for patients and families at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre.
"Thank you so much for your cheerfulness and the harp's serene melodies - just what the doctor ordered. She has been depressed and your visit was highly valued."
“CoastCanCare provides vital programs which help people connect and provide each other with encouragement."
Central Coast Local Health District’s CoastCanCare wellness program is a local beneficiary of the national Dry July campaign, with donations helping to fund free wellbeing and recovery activities for cancer patients, their families and carers.
Wendy of Killarney Vale is one of many who has experienced CoastCanCare and felt better for it, after a lung cancer diagnosis in 2016.
“In the first year it kept me going. You look forward to talking to other people and learning from them and what they might be doing to help with their cancers and different ways of approaching things,” she said.
Wendy has taken part in a range of CoastCanCare’s programs including art therapy, tai chi, meditation, physiotherapy, Aboriginal basket weaving and...
Natasha's Story
For Natasha, life was go, go, go. Prior to March 2022, she was busy running her own business and managing a family with 2 young children.
In March 2022, Natasha was about to launch her online homeware store but a day before she was diagnosed with leukaemia, her world stopped! Natasha wasn’t feeling well, she thought she may have been suffering from long COVID as she previously had a bout of tonsillitis and COVID.
Natasha was also convinced she might be run down. She went to her son’s ‘ tae kwon do’ class and whilst there she tried a couple of star jumps but her heart was racing, so she went to the doctor - she was convinced it could be long COVID given her recent experience.
The doctor did a blood test that morning and at 4pm that day,...
Meet Kelli, BRICC'S Dry July 2022 Ambassador
In February 2012, Kelli Aggett finished breastfeeding her 3rd child, Poppi, who was 4 months old. A month later she noticed her left breast was not ‘right’– it was sore, red and swollen. Although her GP thought it was recurring mastitis, they sent her for a mammogram and biopsy. These indicated it was a rare inflammatory metastatic breast cancer.
Without a family history of breast cancer and with three kids under 4 years old, the then 38-year-old was very shocked with this news. The next couple of weeks were filled with appointments after appointments. The Wellness Centre at the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) became a place for Kelli and her family to turn to for support and information, through a range of one-on-one...
Daniel's Story
“Finding Debbie and the STEEL Program has changed my life."
After being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in February 2020 and requiring a bone marrow transplant in August 2020, I lost my confidence and sense of self. The thought of getting back into shape on my own was a terrifying one. I didn’t know where to start and was nervous to work out. I was concerned that the muscle loss I suffered due to treatment would mean I no longer had the foundations to attempt exercises I’d done many times before getting ill.
Thankfully I came across a post on one of the Leukaemia Group pages I follow where someone was sharing the fact that they’d come across the PINC and STEEL program in Sydney.
With Google’s help I came across a site that listed...
Leonie's Story
“My breast surgeon referred me to cancer rehab physiotherapist Hope Spencer at The Positive Health Project so I could improve my shoulder movement prior to breast reconstruction surgery, and I haven't looked back.”
Leonie was diagnosed with breast cancer Stage 2, Grade 2 in April 2020 just as the first wave of covid restrictions started. Despite having a good circle of support, getting a cancer diagnosis during this time meant that Leonie completed her oncology appointment and treatments on her own. She felt stressed, anxious, and very lonely. The pandemic had added even more stress to what a very emotional time, and Leonie was impacted by high levels of anxiety throughout.
Leonie had a single mastectomy with an expander and sentinel...
Kerry's Story
Hi, my name is Kerry and I live in Brisbane. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2019, such a shock as no obvious signs which is often the case with this type of cancer. I started chemotherapy straight away, followed by surgery and more chemotherapy. I was lucky enough to be given a brochure about Choices Cancer Support Centre at the time and became a regular there participating in yoga and gym program, it was nice to be around others that knew what you were going through.
I was a very active person prior to my diagnosis and was determined to keep up with my fitness as much as I could. I joined the Choices Gym Program and really enjoyed the emphasis on staying healthy and fit during and after treatment. Having an exercise...
Your 2021 Dry July fundraising has helped patients living with cancer continue to access wellness therapies at the ONJ Centre
Our Wellness Team supports patients’ body, mind and soul alongside their medical treatment.
Thanks to you, Dry July fundraising has kept our Wellness gym open and provided additional psychological support to help people cope with the enormity of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Research has shown that exercising through cancer treatment not only helps maintain strength and energy levels, it also reduces the severity and number of side effects that are common with cancer treatment.
“Exercise has improved my energy levels, mood and given me a sense of purpose.” A wellness gym patient said.
"Your eight-week program has set me on a path to regular exercise and a healthier lifestyle. It also enabled me to stay fit during treatment, which I...
Ian and Barb's Story
Ian and Barb were the first residents of the Ba-Lee Lodges after they were recently refurbished thanks to funding from the Dry July Foundation.
Ian was a patient of Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre receiving 8 weeks of radiation therapy.
With the couple living in Mildura the relief of not having to worry about finding accommodation for the duration of Ian’s treatment was great.
The Ba-Lee Lodges are located in close proximity to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre which makes getting to and from treatment easy for patients and with the recent upgrades the units are now more than ever a home away from home for patients and their families.
Although this time was very difficult for Ian and his wife Barb, he described their stay at the...