Helping people affected by cancer
Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our Dry July participants every year, the Dry July Foundation is able to help local and national cancer support organisations across Australia deliver practical, tangible support services for people affected by cancer.
Everything we fund is to benefit cancer patients, their families and carers, aiming to make a difficult time, a little easier for people affected by cancer.
A shoulder to lean on. A comforting voice. A place to relax. This is why we Dry July.
Where the money goes
Information and Support Services
Specialist Cancer Nurses
Wellness Programs
Cancer Centre Improvements
Accommodation and Transport
Comfort and Support Items
Organisations we support
The Dry July Foundation is proud to support numerous cancer organisations across Australia.
Some of the organisations who benefit from our fundraising include:
To see the full list of cancer support organisations we fund, please click here.
Wellness program now in fifth year
Now in its fifth year, 2017, Central Coast Local Health District’s CoastCanCare Wellness Program continues to go from strength to strength with the support of the Dry July Foundation and the generosity of the public that nominate CoastCanCare as their beneficiary.
The Program provides information and practical tools and support to promote wellness for adult cancer patients in our local community. The Program also allows for a patient’s carer or family member to attend sessions and this has proved to be invaluable for the ongoing treatment and care of the patient.
CoastCanCare sessions provide advice on nutrition, psychosocial and physical care, distraction therapies such as meditation and mindfulness and occupational activities such as...
Andrew Love Cancer Centre takes first steps in construction
As part of the #Projectlove - Andrew Love Cancer Centre Redevelopment, the Barwon Health Foundation team along with Day Ward and Pharmacy staff input, have taken the first steps of commencing the project and construction through initial concept plan development.
The redevelopment will dramatically change the efficiency and atmosphere of the Chemotherapy Day Ward.
Project Love is to be fully funded by the community, and the funds from Dry July will provide more privacy and comfort for those treated at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
Benefits include:
- More privacy and space for patients in the Day Ward
- A more comfortable, efficient and modern Day Ward
- More efficient facilities in the Oncology Pharmacy to support the continued growth in...
Arterie - art in health complimentary therapy
Some of the art projects delivered under this program, it is open to patients and carers alike of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
Jill - Look Good Feel Better Participant from Dubbo, NSW
"Earlier this year, life as I knew it changed completely. I was diagnosed with cancer.
I am a 54-year-old mother of three adult children and grandmother to three grandchildren. Before my diagnosis, my life revolved around family but I also worked as a full-time Human Resources Manager which kept me very busy. We live on a five-acre block in Dubbo with a beautiful garden which takes up many pleasurable hours of work.
My initial reaction worried my doctor because I really just sat there silently trying to absorb my new reality, while my head was racing in turmoil. He kept asking if I had any questions, but I didn’t know what I wanted or needed to know. I really just wanted the time to take it in and think on my own.
Before long I came out of...
Oncology Massage program underway - Grant from Dry July Foundation SA
Maggie Wittchen was among the first patients to be treated to a relaxing massage thanks to an expanded oncology massage service at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC).
Maggie, who was recently admitted to hospital for five days of continuous chemotherapy treatment for Lymphoma, said massage provided extra comfort to her and other cancer patients.
“Massage is a lovely idea – it’s definitely soothing and helps me to relax,” Maggie said.
In a state-first, patients admitted to FMC’s cancer ward (Ward 5G) are able to receive hand, foot, neck and body massages from an oncology qualified remedial massage therapist to help ease some of the symptoms associated with their disease.
Oncology Massage Therapist Andrea Cornish visits the ward twice a week to...
Dry July Foundation funding retreats for families affected by breast cancer
The Otis Foundation sources time in holiday homes for the use of families affected by breast cancer. Owners donate the use of their holiday homes and Dry July's funding covers cleaning and linen services incurred in providing access at no charge to the recipients.
Queensland mother-of-three Heather Lloyd ( pictured with family) said the time she had spent with her family at a Sunshine Coast retreat following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 was both healing and powerful.
"It was a holiday we could not afford financially after treatment and loss of income, yet it was exactly what we all needed," she said.
Cancer Support Organisations Receive 2016 Dry July Funds – Projects Approved Totalling $1.7 million.
We’re delighted to announce the 41 recipients of this year’s Dry July Foundation Grant Program as part of the 2016 Dry July campaign.
Of the 16,700 Dry July participants, 12,000 of those gave up alcohol to directly support the Dry July Foundation in 2016, with money raised being allocated to the Grant Program in their state. Cancer support organisations in each state were then invited to submit applications to benefit from these funds.
Applications were capped at $50,000 but organisations could apply for more than one project. We received applications for 139 projects from 51 organisations across Australia, totalling $3.8m. With the $1.7m available from this year’s campaign we’ve awarded funding to 75 projects.
Dry July CEO, Brett...
Custom CT Scanner Artwork
Nepean Cancer Care Centre used funds from Dry July 2015 to improve patient comfort in the clinic rooms, including installing custom artwork on a CT scanner.
Having tests during a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming and this artwork is intended to offer a less clinical environment for patients.
Programs at Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre
Dry July 2016 funding will support 3 programs at ONJCWRC:
- Making Meaning Through Music (music therapy groups for people with cancer and for carers).Funding will support 4 x 8 week sessions over a 12 month period, with 12 people in each session. Music therapy provides a safe way for people experiencing cancer to explore and express difficult emotions.
- Mindfulness Based Street Reduction for People Experiencing Cancer. Mindful meditation practices are run in a supportive small group environment by an experienced accredited teacher. Practices include body awareness, gentle movement and mind training.
- Horticultural Therapy Program. Horticultural therapy is a process of using plants and garden related activities to assist with achieving...