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 Gobbe Wellness Centre is now open to patients thanks to funding received from the Dry July Foundation

The centre is named in honour of the Gobbé family for their significant contribution to health services in our region.

The historic building provides a place for all patients, carers and their families to take time out to reflect, relax and regroup.

Along with the space, a dedicated Cancer Wellness Coordinator oversees a timetable of activities, such as oncology massage, yoga classes, music and art therapy and mindfulness sessions. These assist in improving the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of patients, carers and their families.

In the Centre is a library of wellness resources, a sleeping pod for people attending appointments and a kitchen that people can drop in for a cuppa.


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Fundraising for Solaris will help support people like Margaret

I am a cancer patient survivor. I was diagnosed with stage one grade three aggressive cancer on April 21, 2020, right at the time of the COVID lockdown.

During my chemotherapy treatments, I was feeling very disconnected from the people and things I love. Music and singing being one of them.

Solaris offered me the opportunity to feel safe during that compromised immune time. It was a time when I also had lots of questions about “Why me?” but did not want to feel sorry for myself. I just wanted to get my big girl knickers on and kept moving forward towards a healthy me.

I first came to Sing for Joy – Solaris’s weekly musical choir – and I have to say how much it pushed me from my comfort zone. I got lost on the way, I was late. As I...

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Fundraising for Pancare will help people like Keon access practical support when they need it most

When Keon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 39, he turned to the Pancare Foundation for help.

Through Pancare’s PanSupport program, Keon was able to receive dedicated support, resources and the opportunity to connect with others to understand more about his diagnosis, treatment options and other practical ways to help him navigate living with cancer.

“Pancare Foundation have been a great source of support during my treatment with pancreatic cancer. Through their PanSupport program, I’ve had access to their Specialist Cancer Nurse, Shannon, who has helped me access treatment options and kept me motivated and determined to beat this disease. I’ve also had the opportunity to attend support groups and connect with others...

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Diana's Story

“My sister Sarah was 34 and a new mum when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and 35 when it took her life. She experienced three weeks of stomach pains before she was given a terminal diagnosis and 18 months to live. She started treatment immediately and lost her battle 10.5 months later.

Sadly, her story is not unique. The rates of bowel cancer in adults under 50 have been rising, and young-onset patients are more likely to be diagnosed in Stage 3 or 4 when the disease is harder to treat.

My family has always been very close and losing Sarah to bowel cancer was absolutely devastating for us. It had a huge impact on my life. At 29 I gave up a job, ended a relationship, and moved states to help care for Sarah and her daughter, Eliza,...

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Thanks to the Dry July Foundation’s support, BCA can put more people affected by bowel cancer in touch with a Bowel Care Nurse

“The Bowel Cancer Australia team have been an integral part of my journey and have had such a positive impact on my treatment pathway.” ~ Makala (diagnosed at 32).

Bowel Cancer Australia is committed to supporting individuals and their families through all stages of their journey. Working hard to ensure ongoing awareness and support following a bowel cancer diagnosis.

Despite being the third most diagnosed cancer, bowel cancer patients don’t receive the same level of support as other common cancers.

Described as a 'lifeline' by patients and their loved ones, Bowel Cancer Australia’s telenursing service is addressing this gap, enabling equity of access to personalised care and tailored support nationwide.

Since 2010, Bowel Cancer Australia...

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Bowel Cancer Australia is able to extend their Bowel Cancer Stories, providing much needed support for people affected by bowel cancer

Bowel Cancer Australia is committed to supporting individuals and their families through all stages of their journey, working hard to ensure every bowel cancer patient receives the support they need.

Talking to and reading about the experiences of another person who has been through bowel cancer, or who is going through a similar situation, can be enormously valuable and reassuring.

A key element of Bowel Cancer Australia’s Peer-to-Peer Support Network and dynamic awareness campaigns is the writing and sharing of one’s personal story.

Not only are there proven benefits to emotional wellbeing in taking the time to write about your experiences, reading about the experience of others can also be incredibly beneficial. Assisting patients...

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Upgrades to patient amenities in the Shoalhaven Cancer Care made possible thanks to Dry July fundraising

Basic items in our patient accommodation had some real wear and tear. Dry July funding has allowed us to purchase quality practical items such as fancy Sheridan towels for our patients, modern linen for beds, replace the broken toaster and old kettle in the community kitchen, provide a Nespresso Coffee Machine, purchase matching dining sets, replace cutlery, provide comfortable cushions and as requested by patients place an alarm clock in every patient room!

These improvements have really lifted spirits and genuinely created a home away from home feel for patients and families who travel from within our rural region to Nowra for treatment. Thanks to our Accommodation Manager Jarrod for identifying the needs of our patients and...

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Garden makeovers in Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre made possible thanks to our Dry July fundraising

Our tired looking garden (dirt patch :)) at the entrance to the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Accommodation Centre has had a makeover with fertilised soil, new plants, weed matting, mulch and the addition of pebbles.

Our staff and patients have noticed a HUGE difference with our Accommodation Manager, Jarrod, reporting that ‘everyone has noticed’ and he has had such positive feedback about the improvement. It really is so much more welcoming. Great work team and we are proud to have collaborated with a local landscaper to deliver this project for our patients!

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Fundraising for OCA will help people like Josie access support when they need it most

Josie Davoren, 51, initially thought the early signs of her ovarian cancer was menopause. The mother of two increased her exercise regime and reduced her calorie intake but still could not reduce the bloating. Josie then put the bloating down to irritable bowel syndrome. Soon after, she discovered a hard large mass on the right side of her pelvic area.

After having scans followed by investigative surgery, surgeons found she had stage two ovarian cancer and an ovary the size of a rockmelon. In July 2018, Josie had surgery to remove the tumours; this included a full hysterectomy (removal of her ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus) and also her appendix.

Having six rounds of chemotherapy, Josie felt confident she was over the worst. Follow...

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