Helping people affected by cancer

Patricia's Story

Patricia Mahara has a strong family history of cancer. After losing her mother to breast cancer 20 years ago, in 2020 she faced her own battle with the disease, yet she stayed incredibly positive thanks to the strong support networks around her.

Patricia’s treatment included surgery, chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation therapy at the Mater Cancer Centre. She also participated in the Return to Wellness program to help with her recovery, saying “it was the first time throughout the journey that I could talk with ladies that were going through the same things as me.”

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,...

Thanks to you, Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Ward 5C is now benefitting from the purchase of ten new vital sign patient monitors

Thanks to Dry July funding, Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Ward 5C (Haematology) is now benefitting from the purchase of ten new vital sign patient monitors that have been installed into the ward’s single rooms.

For many of the hospital’s patients being treated for leukaemia they will spend a large proportion of their stay in one of the single rooms due to disease-related symptoms and treatment side-effects.

The new monitors enable staff to ensure that clinical and observation monitoring is carried out effectively and safely for each patient isolated in these rooms.

Linzi Nolan, Nurse Unit Manager Wards 5C/D, said, “Checking and recording clinical observations, blood pressure, temperature, etc, is carried out every four hours and is vital in...

The Department of Radiation Oncology’s walls come to life thanks to Dry July 2021 funding

The Department of Radiation Oncology’s corridors at Calvary Mater Newcastle have come to life thanks to a new mural installed in the department following Dry July funding.

Patients and staff are now greeted by a colourful and fun mural depicting local Newcastle scenes and landmarks, designed by talented local artist Mitch Revs. The mural is located in the corridor leading to the Zeus treatment unit and has brought joy and fun to the walls.

Karen Jovanovic, Chief Radiation Therapist, said, “Cancer diagnosis is a huge, life-changing event, causing much anxiety for our patients. It has long been recognised that the environment patients encounter while attending hospital or clinic for health-related appointments influences patients’ stress...

Melissa's Story

55-year-old Melissa from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. Her cancer was triple-negative breast cancer and when she was diagnosed, it had already spread to her lymph nodes. Eight months of treatment included fifteen rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, removal of her lymph nodes and twenty-five rounds of radiotherapy. Melissa was left physically and mentally exhausted.

During the treatment Melissa had suffered from many complications, including peripheral neuropathy that caused tingling and numbness, infections under her fingernails, early stage lymphoedema, severe radiation burns and cording causing restricted movement in her arm. The treatment...

Dreams2Live4 can make dreams come true for adults living with metastatic cancer thanks to Dry July fundraising

Thanks to your Dry July fundraising, you have helped Dreams2Live4 to continue to make dreams come true across every Australian state and territory.

A dream changes lives. Because of you, adults (17+) living with metastatic cancer, relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukaemia and high-grade brain tumours will have the chance to dream, a chance to have something special to focus on, away from the endless treatments and medical procedures.

‘’Dreams2Live4 brings the person out of the patient. It gives people a sense of self. A sense of achievement. And they often find themselves doing something that they had only dreamed they could do. It has a remarkable impact,” said Dr Ralph McConaghy, Medical Director Palliative Care Service, The Wesley...

Carolina's Story

"When you have your cancer diagnosis, you worry about what will happen to you, but when you have a dream to look forward to, it’s a life change.’’ Carolina, Dreamer.

When Carolina was a baby she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Thankfully, she responded to treatment and for the next 38 years was cancer free. Then Carolina’s life turned upside down when she received the news that cancer had returned.

‘’When I got the news, it was devasting, I couldn’t believe it. The cancer changed not only my life but also my husband’s life. Roberto is always there for me and I know he suffers a lot. When I found out about Dreams2Live4 it gave me hope and the chance to have something to look forward to with Roberto,’’ said Carolina.

‘...

Leilani's Story

Leilani was only 20 years old when she first became aware that there might be something wrong.

One day, she felt a lump in her collarbone while at work. Leilani wasn’t sure what it was and she didn’t want to immediately assume it would be cancer... she was so young, she didn’t know anyone her age who had cancer, she thought “surely it can’t be?”. She only had a year or two before graduating uni and starting the next chapter of her life. But just in case, she went to the GP to get it checked.

More lumps began to appear and she needed a biopsy immediately. Leilani was then diagnosed with stage three lymphoma which had unfortunately spread from her lymph nodes near her right collarbone, to her shoulder and stomach.

"I didn’t immediately...

Your support means Canteen can continue helping young cancer patients stay connected

Statistics have shown that less than half of young cancer patients have high confidence of achieving their education goals and even fewer – less than a third – have high confidence of achieving their employment goals. Your support is helping us change that.

By participating and fundraising in Dry July this year, you are helping Canteen to continue their work in helping young cancer patients stay connected to study or work, both during and after their cancer treatment through Canteen’s Education and Career Support Service (ECS).

Last year, around 200 young patients were supported through the ECS, assisting young cancer patients to identify their vocational goals and values and developing individualised support plans to help them achieve...

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...