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.

The Alfred's Patient Accommodation and Music therapy programs to continue running this year thanks to Dry July funding!

Here at The Alfred, we’re so pleased that the Patient Accommodation Program and Music Therapy Programs will once again be running this year thanks to funds raised through Dry July!

We’d like to thank everyone who contributed, either by going dry or donating, and to encourage you all to consider joining this worthy cause again in 2021.

Here is just some of the feedback we’ve received to show what a huge difference these programs make in the lives of cancer patients treated here at The Alfred.

Patient Accommodation Program (free accommodation for regional cancer patients)

“Without the accommodation there’s little chance I’d have been able to continue treatment. Financially it took the pressure off and my father was able to come and care...

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Thanks to our funding, Wollongong Hospital has been able to create bright, welcoming waiting areas

Our patients told us that that our clinical and cold feeling waiting areas only encouraged feelings of anxiety and fear about their cancer treatment. They suggested a warmer environment with softer décor and visual improvements.

We collaborated with the local Aboriginal community of Coomaditchie asking them to create a bright welcoming artwork for our patients and visitors. They created a unique piece for us with significant meaning.

The flame tree in the centre represents the Illawarra Cancer Care Centre. The petals around it in orange are all the people and the black lines leading to it are the roads people travel on to get here. The coloured circles represent the different colours of cancer. The butterflies and dragonflies represent...

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Thanks to our 2020 Dry Julyers, refurbishment are about to start on Westmead's Quiet Room and Telehealth Consult Room's

Work is shortly set to start on refurbishing our quiet room, located near our clinics.

This space provides a quiet and confidential area for distressed patients and their treating team to use for counselling.

Our Telehealth room which is used for consultations to regional areas will also enjoy a make-over. Both rooms will be decorated in the same theme as our other patient areas which were refurbished from 2019 Dry July funding.

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Your determination during Dry July has helped us upgrade across our Solaris centres to enrich our cancer clients’ experience

With your aid, we have managed to upgrade our patient booking system and replace the computers, screens, keyboard and mouse for our Meet and Greet volunteers to make the patient booking system more seamless. These upgrades have enabled our compassionate volunteers to book and track client appointments, therapy attendance, and communicate with clients on therapies such as massage and Bowen Therapy they would like follow-ups on.

Our aim is to help individuals with cancer, their families and carers live well. Thank you for helping us blend humanity with healthcare.


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Your 2020 fundraising has given more women with breast cancer access to the ‘Return to Wellness’ Program at Mater’s Cancer Care Centre.

Developed by the Mater Breast Care team, Return to Wellness offers breast cancer patients' access to a guided exercise program with a physiotherapist and breast care nurse, and advice about their diet and lifestyle choices to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Senior Physiotherapist Oncology Services Leah McIntyre said because the classes are smaller they can help each participant reach their individual goals.

“Our exercise programs are tailored to our participants individual needs, medical status and personal goals. Cancer treatment takes its toll on the body and we are focused on helping them regain both their strength and confidence,” she said.

“This is an important part of our patient’s recovery and we are so proud to be...

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Cancer Wellness Goes Virtual, Thanks To Dry July!

Many face-to-face cancer wellness programs have been unable to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect vulnerable cancer patients and their families. But the generosity of the Dry July Foundation has ensured patients can still access some of these - all from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

This funding enabled the Arts in Health service at Flinders Medical Centre to create a range of online videos and resources for patients, their carers and families including meditation and relaxation to music, art therapy, creative writing, journal making and illustration, guided art making and uplifting music.

Arts in Health at FMC Manager Sally Francis says the online resources had been tailored to meet the specific needs of...

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Thanks to Dry July Foundation funding, the Lifehouse LivingRoom is able to offer a range of evidence-based complementary therapies

The Lifehouse LivingRoom is the home of Supportive Cancer Care and Integrative Medicine at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, Sydney. Over the last few years, Dry July has been an integral part in funding our Lifehouse LivingRoom in our patient complementary therapies.

Kim Kerin-Ayres, one of our Livingroom Care Coordinators who works closely with our patients says “I think cancer can be really disempowering, so helping people regain some sense of control is probably one of the most important things we try to do. We integrate into their treatment regimen some of the therapies that are going to be helpful for them in the long run, or help keep them well. For some people, it's about managing their symptoms. For others it's about...

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Thank you for supporting therapeutic music for the wellbeing of patients during their cancer treatment at Canberra Cancer Centre

Evidence based research has shown that music as a complementary modality is not only good for our health but can promote feelings of wellbeing. Music can provide a variety of touchstones for social, physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological health.

The harp has been used since ancient times to soothe, comfort and support people. And, thanks to your support in 2020, that is exactly what the Therapeutic Harp Program does for patients at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre

Therapeutic harpist, Alison gently plays her harp at the bedside of patients and more broadly throughout the shared spaces of the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. Through her harp, Alison is able to;

• Cultivate and promote a quiet space where sleep and deep rest can...

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Your support has brought floral arrangements to the reception desks and waiting areas throughout the Canberra Region Cancer Centre

Thank you for bringing pops of colour and moments of brightness to patients.

The beautiful arrangements may seem like a small touch, but sometimes it really is the little things that make a big difference.

One patient remarked that the flowers were so lovely and helped to put a smile on her face, even if just for a few moments. Knowing they were made possible because of you, our Dry July supporters, made the flowers feel even more special to the patient.


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