If there is one thing that 202O showed us it is that we all crave connection, and that music is such a strong vehicle for that connection.
We are so grateful to the Dry July Foundation for their support to help us create mini portable recording set ups, for us to expand on our therapeutic songwriting session with people living with cancer and their families- and literally help us ‘bring the studio session’ to them.
If there is one thing that 202O showed us it is that we all crave connection, and that music is such a strong vehicle for that connection. During our lockdowns we see the impact of how hard it is to be alone for everyone and this is magnified for all our patients. Often people living with cancer are isolated in their treatment without the pandemic, so add one in, and things are really, really, tough. Music therapy has been in high demand and we had to find ways...
A HUGE thank you to our Dry July fundraisers of 2019 for providing two portable Lumify Ultrasound systems
This equipment provides our wonderful Oncology nurses the chance to cannulate those patients having treatment in the very busy Cancer Day Unit with difficult venous access the first time and make this the best attempt! This causes less distress to patients.
We purchased 4 tablets that work in conjunction with these machines and support staff training. The cost of the bundles included training from the supplier to "super users" clinical nurses who have developed a program to train all required staff on the use of this equipment.
Oncology and Haematology patients receive long term treatments which can involve multiple cannulations with difficult peripheral access. Their veins can be compromised by chemotherapy, surgical procedures...
In 2020, the staff of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne fundraised an incredible $5,000
The power of a united effort
Staff from St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne 6th Floor created a team for Dry July 2020. Together, the nine team members raised over $5,000. These funds will go towards purchasing much needed items and even a few extra comforts for patients receiving treatment for cancer at St Vincent’s.
2020 was the first year the 6th Floor created a team for Dry July. Leader of the team and Registered Nurse, Kate Gore, gave us an insight into her team’s experiences.
What inspired you to get a team together for Dry July?
Our patients inspired us to get involved. We are a specialised Oncology, Haematology and Palliative Care ward, so our patients benefit greatly from the Dry July campaign. They go through a tough journey during...
Flinders Foundation purchase a new FibroScan machine for the Flinders Medical Centre Hepatology and Liver Unit
Patients at Flinders Medical Centre, and across regional and remote South Australia, are now receiving the monitoring they need to help detect liver cancer before it’s too late…thanks to Dry July!
This state-of-the art equipment provides a non-invasive way of assessing the amount of fibrosis or scarring in a liver, without the need for an invasive liver biopsy.
The amount of fibrosis is a critical risk factor for liver cancer, and by detecting liver issues earlier through a FibroScan, more treatments and enrolment in a cancer surveillance program can be initiated to give patients the best chance of a good outcome.
Professor Alan Wigg, Head of Flinders’ Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Medicine Unit, said in the few short months since...
Brendan, a patient of St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, shares his story
Your Dry July fundraising helps St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne provide optimal comfort and support to their patients undergoing treatment; people like Brendan.
You can watch Brendan's story here: www.dryjuly.com/2020/brendans-story
Sign up to Dry July and support St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne to help more people like Brendan here
By partipating in Dry July, you could help raise funds for The Alfred so people like Lisa can access to patient accommodation
Lisa has three grown children and lives with her husband Shane in Mildura, a 6-hour drive from Melbourne. Her and her husband have a morning ritual to get up early and go for a walk along the beautiful Murray River. In late 2019 & early 2020 it became increasingly difficult to go for those walks.
She says, “I was just in so much pain, those morning walks became impossible.”
When physio and pilates made no difference, Lisa went to her doctor. After a series of tests and scans she received the devastating diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma – A type of blood cancer.
For her more complex care needs and treatment, Lisa needed to make the long trips to Melbourne. While so far from the comforts of home, Lisa was lucky to have access to the...
Meet the Wren family, BRICC's ambassadors for Dry July 2021
Shayne and Denise Wren have both accessed the programs on offer at Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC) Wellness Centre during their cancer treatments. Both Shayne and Denise can not speak highly enough of the many complimentary services that are on offer to all patients. Their daughter Gabrielle is also on board, she reflects on how beneficial the Centre has been for their family during the most challenging of times.
We thank the Wren’s for their support in helping raise awareness and in turn, helping cover costs of the services on offer at the Wellness Centre that is proudly 100% funded by community.
Your fundraising has helped Choices Cancer Support Centre support people like Meg
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...