Maddison's Story
22-year-old animal lover, Maddison Walker’s dream, is to become a Zookeeper, and a blood cancer diagnosis isn’t getting in her way
In July 2019, Maddison Walker was on her way to achieving her dream job — becoming a Zookeeper. After moving to QLD six months earlier, Maddison and her mother were both settling into their new life in the Sunshine State.
“I was still looking for work in QLD as we had only been there six months. I have always been very passionate about animals. I spent a lot of days at home with my pets, taking my dogs to the park, and spending time with family and my partner at the time.”
Maddison didn’t know what was coming next would change her life forever.
“I have hypothyroidism and regularly get my blood tested to check...
Wollongong Hospital launch their Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions virtually
With face to face sessions cancelled due to the pandemic, our Clinical Psychology team worked to reinvent our Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions, designed for patients who have completed their treatment. We were so excited to launch our six week pilot program, virtually, in October 2021!
Classes were capped at eight participants to ensure an intimate experience. Psychologists Susan and Donna described the sessions as ‘therapeutic, rather than supportive in style, covering a range of themes to help reduce stress, facilitate coping, and encourage participants to engage more fully in their life despite uncertainty and distress”
To truly immerse themselves in the sessions, each participant received a carefully curated Dry July...
Choices Cancer Care Centre can continue to offer its Gym Maintenance Program to cancer patients
Thanks to the ongoing support from Dry July Foundation, and the funds raised through Dry July 2021, the Choices Cancer Care Centre is able to continue to offer its Gym Maintenance Program to cancer patients who comes to Choices centre.
The Choices Cancer Care Centre provides each participant with a tailored program specific to the type of surgery and treatment they are receiving or have received. Their programs are updated as participant’s progress through their first 6-week sessions and then move into the gym maintenance group sessions for an additional 3 months.
Our specialised exercise physiologist Sarah has shared her experience on the impacts that this program provides,
“This program demonstrates significant physical, social and...
Helping more Australians understand the signs and symptoms of upper GI cancers
Thanks to your support, you’ve helped Pancare develop a series of animated videos that help educate about the signs and symptoms of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers – pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.
Upper GI cancers often go undiagnosed in the early stages due to the presentation of vague symptoms such as nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, loss of appetite, weight loss and tiredness. Currently, no early detection tests are available.
Pancare’s new animation series will help individuals be able to identify and take action on any unusual or persistent symptoms and consult their GP for review before it’s too late.
Your Dry July fundraising has helped grow Pancare's specialist cancer nursing program
Your Dry July fundraising has helped employ two new specialist upper GI cancer nurses to support the needs of Australians diagnosed and living with pancreatic, liver, stomach, biliary and oesophageal cancers.
Our team of dedicated nurses in our PanSupport program are there for patients and their families through all stages of their cancer journey. From coping with a recent diagnosis, understanding treatment options or managing symptoms, our team provide practical support at a time when it’s needed most.
On behalf of Pancare Foundation and our team of specialist upper GI cancer nurses, thank you for helping us be there to support more Australians living with these devasting cancers.
Dry July Foundation funds help Chris O'Brien Lifehouse You Can Centre come to life
For a long time the space on Level 7 at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse has remained an empty shell.
Now it is home to our You Can Centre - a dedicated space for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients to socialise, relax, wait for appointments, find some distraction and connect with others.
The You Can Centre was built in partnership with the Sony Foundation and the Sydney Local Health District, and with contributions also from the Dry July Foundation.
Funds raised from the 2021 Dry July campaign helped furnish the movie and games room, a music room, and a leafy outdoor balcony.
“I can use the space as somewhere else to go. I’m not spending all day in a hospital bed, I come down and hangout down here ….and some days just come down and nap in...
Calvary Mater Newcastle Oncology Loan Pool gets a boost
Thanks to Dry July funding the Calvary Mater Newcastle Oncology Loan Pool continues to go from strength to strength as worn equipment is replaced and an additional range of equipment brought in.
The Oncology Loan Pool provides free short term loan of equipment to assist patients when they are discharged home or supports them to remain at home while receiving cancer treatment. Undergoing treatment and recovery from cancer can be a financially challenging time, and having access to the free Oncology Loan Pool assists in alleviating some of this burden.
A range of equipment is available to assist patients with activities of daily living like showering, toileting, transferring and mobility, as well as providing comfort measures to reduce...
Bendigo Health's Gobbe’ Wellness Centre increases its opening hours from 3 days in 2021 to 5 days per week in 2022
The calendar of activities that the Gobbe’ Wellness Centre is able to offer has increased 100% in 2022.
We now offer 2 yoga classes per week (previously only 1) and have added a new Tai Chi class each week, along with the existing Mindfulness class.
This has resulted in 16 more cancer participants being able to participate in classes each week. We have also added a weekly walking group and added an extra day of specialised oncology massage per month. Reflexology and Aromatherapy is also available.
The Gobbe’ Wellness Centre increased its opening hours from 3 days in 2021 to 5 days per week in 2022.
It is now open for participants to access classes and services Monday to Friday 9-4 pm. The increased opening hours allows us to offer more...
Bowel Cancer Australia can further expand their Bowel Care Nurse and Nutritionist Programs
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 and telenutrition services are addressing this gap, enabling equity of access to personalised care and tailored support nationwide.
Since 2010, Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowel Care Nurses and Nutritionists have been offering support for patients and loved ones through the charity’s Helpline and Peer-to-Peer Support Network.
Thanks to the continued support of the Dry July Foundation, Bowel Cancer Australia has been able to further expand our Bowel Care Nurse and Nutritionist Programs. Increasing the capacity of...