Helping people affected by cancer

Mike's story

This year, funds raised through Dry July will go towards renovating patient waiting areas into interactive spaces to make the sometimes 5 hour waiting periods pass a little easier and installing more comfortable seating.

A patient who has recently spent a considerable amount of time at the PA cancer centre is Mike Stott who had to relocate to Brisbane for treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue. By supporting Dry July at the PA Hospital, you are helping to ensure patients like Mike feel as comfortable as possible at the hospital during such a difficult time in their lives.

Here is Mike’s story…

Mike Stott, a Cartographer from Cairns, noticed that a lump in the left side of his neck had formed during August 2016. He wasn’t...

Horticultural therapy

“I always loved gardening, yet through stresses of ill-health, I felt I had lost my passion for it.”

Like many people undergoing a cancer diagnosis and treatment, Christine Fousketakis struggled to get through every day, and things she had loved doing, like gardening, became a thing of the past.

Diagnosed with breast cancer, Christine underwent a rigorous treatment plan at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre (ONJ Centre) including surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

Christine visits the ONJ Centre twice each week and takes part in many wellness and supportive care programs including horticultural therapy, which is funded by Dry July.

Gardening is a wonderful way to connect with nature and enjoy the present...

Wal's story

My name is Wal, I am one of those people who never gets sick. So you can imagine how daunting it was to be told I had cancer of the larynx at age 67 in what should be my last working year. After initial biopsy which confirmed the cancer, I was referred to The cancer therapy centre at Liverpool Public Hospital which I am told has one of only four machines in NSW to treat my particular cancer.

On my first visit, I was welcomed by what I can only call the most professional team of doctors, nurses, radiotherapy staff, receptionists and volunteers who took the time to explain everything to me in detail. What my cancer was, how it would be treated, the length of treatment and the expected outcome. I will attend the Centre 5 days a week for six...

Angie's story

“Cancer arrived and every creative fibre in Angie’s body left”

Meet Angie, a powerfully positive mum of two daughters, who couldn’t believe cancer had happened to her. Cancer was not in her family genes - in fact Angie used to joke with her daughters about how beautiful the genes were that she had passed down to them, right down to their perfectly-shaped eyebrows. Now, because of her treatment, Angie no longer has eyebrows.

In 2013, Angie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and commenced her after which she was given the all clear later that year. She was done, she had beaten it, and left as a healthy, happy woman with a new lease on life.

However, in February 2016, Angie became ill overnight and a CT scan revealed her cancer had returned...

Artist in Residence at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

An integral part of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse complementary therapy program, Arterie supports a holistic approach to cancer patient care through an innovative participatory arts program. Arterie’s mission is to improve outcomes for patients, families, carers, staff and visitors by easing the side effects of cancer and its treatment as well as providing a therapeutic distraction from treatment through art engagement and participation.

Dry July has helped with funding the Artist in Residence program at Arterie. The current program consists of the following:

9 Day residency over 3 weeks making a variety of art forms

• August 2016 - Mary Burgess Weaver - ‘The Joy of Silk’

• October 2016 - Penelope McKweown + Annabel Mason, Sculptors,

‘The...

Carterie Program at Lifehouse

Part of the complementary therapy program at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, the current Arterie 'Carterie' program consists of the following:

• Mobile Art and Craft studio - Delivered Tuesday Wednesday Thursday to wards and waiting areas. Each day between 1-5 Carteries are in use (volunteer dependent)

• Arterie provides approx 45 volunteers per month to the Lifehouse Program

• All Carterists are trained artists - with formal qualifications in art, design, art therapy, social science etc.

• Various art and craft packages are on board the cart and prepared by volunteer ‘pit-crew’

• Projects vary from traditional textile crafts such as embroidery and knitting to collage, colouring-in and assemblage

• All members of the Lifehouse community from...

Your impact on Cancer care at Mater

Thanks to your support through Dry July’s generous donation, Mater has been able to provide the very best in comprehensive and integrated healthcare for people living with cancer.

You have enabled Mater to provide a specialised Music Therapy Program for some of the 5900 people who come to Mater for cancer treatment each year.

Mater Cancer Care Music Therapy Program :A reality thanks to Dry July’s gift.

It has only been with your wonderful support that Mater was able to introduce a brand new Music Therapy Program to the Mater Cancer Care Centre in 2015. The program, which involves one on one sessions between patients and therapists, was hugely successful in the first year, being well received by patients, families and staff alike.

Music...

Scott supports Andrew Love Cancer Centre

Dry July has provided funding toward the upgrade to the centre. Scott, a brain cancer survivor endorses the centre:

“The clinicians and support staff at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre have all been great. Their support has helped me get through a very tough time. They are always checking in on me and making sure my treatment is going well. This redevelopment will make a big difference to patients just like me, but also all the staff there.”

Scott is currently undergoing 12 months of chemotherapy through the Andrew Love Cancer Centre and has regular meetings and appointments with support staff clinicians, including Professor David Ashley.

“My focus right now is on my health for the sake of my family, and I'm confident I can keep fighting...

Wellness programs at Kinghorn Cancer Centre

Dry July funding is making a difference to the lives of patients at Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney.

Here is some feedback from the wellness programs:

“Being a pensioner and with many medical & travel expenses I could have never afforded to experience these programs, if they cost me to join. Having the opportunity to be around likeminded people in this environment where I can learn things that will help me on my journey, is fantastic. I feel very lucky and very grateful, Thank you” – J. N –patient

“I would like to convey appreciation for the extremely relaxing and informing group sessions at the Kinghorn, as I look forward to a continuation and broadening of this experience as I journey through your sessions.

Over a long period of...