Helping people affected by cancer

Dry July Foundation visit the ONJ Centre

In December, we were honoured to be asked to hold Dry July’s Board Meeting (the first time they have held a board meeting outside of Sydney) and our Acting CEO, Dr Mary O’Reilly, was delighted when Dry July CEO and founder Brett MacDonald announced that Dry July Foundation would be giving an additional $97,400 in grant funding to the ONJ Centre. This makes 2018 our most successful year yet with over $180,000 coming from Dry July Foundation to support vital wellness programs, improving patient comfort, care and wellbeing.

You can read more about the visit and the projects that the funding is being used for by clicking HERE.

Christina's Story

My partner and I met in Australia and moved to London together four years ago when I was 23 years old. I am self-employed, providing consulting and training services in the data protection and IT governance environment for businesses. I set-up the business when I was living in the UK alongside co-founding a cybersecurity startup with exciting new opportunities.

Whilst living in the UK, I noticed a pea-sized lump in my neck. It was around for a few weeks and I didn’t think much of it. Then over two days, the lump grew from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball and I knew I had to immediately get it checked.

I wasn’t actually worried about it at all at first; the three week process was that it was just a cist and we were testing to...

$4 million distributed in the Dry July Foundation 2018 Grant Program

We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2018 Dry July Foundation Grant Program.

The money for the Grant Program was raised by Dry July 2018 participants, who elected to fundraise for the Dry July Foundation as part of their alcohol-free month.

In October, the Dry July Foundation invited cancer support organisations to apply for a grant. Each grant application was capped at $50,000, however organisations could apply for more than one grant.

We received an incredible 171 grant applications from 65 organisations across Australia, totalling over $6.4m. With $4.1m available from this year’s Dry July, we were able to award funding to 138 projects.

Since 2008, the Dry July Foundation has funded more than 1,200 projects for 80 cancer...

Therapeutic Harp Program + more at Canberra Hospital

Funding from the Dry July campaign and a grant from the Dry July Foundation ACT has ensured the continuation of the beloved therapeutic harp program at Canberra Hospital.

Harp therapy has been shown to help cancer patients cope with the side effects of their treatment, and can provide a sense of calm to patients who may feel distressed and anxious in a busy hospital environment.

The program at The Canberra Hospital is delivered by a certified harp therapist and has been funded by Dry July since 2012.

Additional funds have provided a water and ice station so patients do not have to leave their treatment area; waiting area refurbishments, a 12 month magazine and newspaper subscription and floral displays to brighten up the reception areas.

Dry July Foundation funds Arterie Carterie Program and more!

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse received an amazing $137,500 in funding from the Dry July Foundation to continue it's complimentary therapy program, 'Arterie Carterie'. Arterie is an innovative inter-disciplinary model of art in healthcare practice, specifically designed to improve outcomes for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse patients, families, carers and staff by easing the side effects of cancer and its treatment such as stress, pain, fatigue, isolation and depression. Arterie participates in a way that fits with the patient’s treatment – it is non-invasive, inclusive and supportive.

Additional funds also enabled the purchase of specialist chairs for the intensive care unit and wards, extend the Complimentary Therapy Inpatient Program that will...

Wellness Program continues on the Central Coast thanks to Dry July Foundation funding

Thanks to an $80,000 grant from the Dry July Foundation the continuation of the CoastCanCare wellness program is guaranteed to continue in 2019.

Workshop sessions include mindfulness; practical exercise education and goal setting; music and art therapy; tai chi; meditation and vision board planning have taken place in 14 different suburbs and utilised 19 different venues across the Central Coast.

Positive feedback from CoastCanCare participants include:

“This group has been my lifesaver keeping me focussed on the future not on my past journey”

“I loved listening to the different speakers. All people were friendly - helped me a lot with my rollercoaster day and gave me purpose”

“I love this program and have found it has made such a...

300 workshops funded thanks to Dry July 2018

A total $300,000 has been awarded to Look Good Feel Better Australia in the 2018 Dry July Foundation early grants round. This will fund 300 of the 1000 workshops that will run in Australia during the next twelve months.

Look Good Feel Better is a free national community service program run by the Cancer Patients Foundation, dedicated to teaching cancer patients how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by cancer treatment. Women, men and teens participate in practical workshop demonstrations covering skin care, make-up and head wear, leaving them empowered and ready to face their cancer diagnosis with confidence.

Workshops cover skincare techniques to address common side-effects like dryness and sun sensitivity; makeup tips...

Wellness Programs at ONJ Cancer Wellness & Research Centre

Oncology Massage, Gentle Yoga and an Oncology Dietitian were among the programs funded by the Dry July Foundation.

Patients at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, have access to a Multidisciplinary Team who are committed to ensuring they are cared for physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. The ONJ Centre are committed to supporting patients through every step of their treatment. They provide a caring and supportive environment and offer a wide range of Wellness & Supportive Care Programs to help patients and their family members manage a challenging time in the best way possible.

The Wellness & Supportive Care Team at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre...

Dry July Foundation assists with accommodation services for people affected by blood cancer

Every 41 minutes, an Australian is diagnosed with a blood cancer or related blood disorder. Blood cancer is the third biggest cause of cancer death in Australia, claiming more lives each year than breast cancer or skin cancer. For people living in regional and remote areas, a blood cancer diagnosis normally means urgent relocation to capital cities to access live-saving treatment. Each year, the Leukaemia Foundation supports more than 750 families from regional and rural Australia by providing free accommodation and services in the major cities, keeping families together and close to their loved one during treatment, for as long as they need.

And this year the Dry July Foundation is helping to make this possible.

Through the Dry July...