Helping people affected by cancer

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...

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!

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...

Raising funds for McGrath Foundation will help support people like Luise

There's never a good time to be diagnosed with metastatic cancer, which is incurable, but when that diagnosis comes in your 30's it's especially hard.

Luise Gordon, 38, hasn't had it easy but she believes that the diagnosis has helped heal her. While she has to undergo treatment for the rest of her life, she's determined to make the most of it. By the time a patient is diagnosed as metastatic, they can have seen up to 80 medical professionals, which is why having the constant support of her McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sam, has helped create a sense of stability in Luise's life.

COVID-19 has thrown additional challenges in to the mix, with border closures preventing Luise from spending time with her family from Queensland for much of the...

Fundraising for Cancer Council will help support people like Marnie

Marnie could never have predicted what 2020 had in store for her. At the beginning of the year, she was studying to become a nurse, taking classes with her dance company, and hanging out with friends.

“When I was diagnosed, it was a time in my life when I was just starting to find my feet and discover where I belonged in the world. Then it all came crashing down,” said Marnie.

In March, not only did she have to endure the shock of a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis, she had to complete treatment through all the uncertainty and disruption of COVID-19.

“No one could come in [to the hospital] with me – I think mum came to my first treatment and from there I was on my own,” said Marnie.

“It’s pretty scary because you’re going into hospital not...

Fundraising for Redkite will help people like Teah access support when they need it most

Teah spent two years away from her home undergoing treatment for her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

At 17, Teah is now in remission and starting her life all over again - returning from hospital and getting back on her feet hasn't been easy. Teah was introduced to her Redkite social worker, Lis to help her take practical steps to rebuild her life, including setting up a bank account and working out Teah's future career path.

“If I didn’t have Lis right now, I would not know where to start. I would be staying home, not doing anything. I wouldn’t know where to start my life again, or even have that motivation to be excited to go out and try.”

Read Teah's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/teahs-story

Your fundraising has helped Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia support people like Bruce

After Zara’s dad, Bruce, was diagnosed with prostate cancer, she saw first-hand the challenges that Aussie men experience. It inspired her to find a way to make a difference and support other men and families impacted by the disease.

Not one to do anything by halves, Zara decided to shave her long hair alongside her dad, and raised more than $22,000 for PCFA in the process.

Read Zara's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/zaras-story

Your fundrasing has helped Leukaemia Foundation support people like Courtney

30 year old Courtney was used to living a very active lifestyle going to CrossFit, playing football and working as a prison officer before she started noticing changes to her physical health in mid-2019. Struggling to run and feeling quickly fatigued, Courtney wasn't feeling her usual self.

After a visit to the doctor followed by multiple tests, Courtney was diagnosed with FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukaemia and began chemotherapy immediately.

Living in Bega, a small country town in southern New South Wales, the closest treatment facility was Canberra Hospital; a three-hour drive away from home.

During her treatment, Courtney’s family called Leukaemia Foundation's John James Village home where they were given a unit free-of-charge.

“We...

Fresh refurbishments to Andrew Love Cancer Centre's Ba-Lee lodges made possible thanks to Dry July fundraising!

Thanks to the Dry July Foundation and participants of Dry July in 2019 and 2020, the Ba-Lee Lodge have had a refurbishment, including garden and accommodation rooms.

The majority of the project has been completed with just a few finishing touches like artwork and custom seating yet to be installed, although that hasn't stopped patients who are back enjoying the refurbished space.

The Ba-Lee lodges have been a valued and much loved part of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre for over 15 years. This very important facility provides vital accommodation to Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre patients during their treatment. The impact of a cancer diagnosis is significant in the lives of these patients and their families and units provide a...