Helping people affected by cancer

Andrea's Story

Andrea was just 51 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.

“It was a huge shock. The day after my diagnosis I had to ring my doctor’s office so I could double check that the results were accurate, I was just that incredulous,” said Andrea.

Prior to her diagnosis, Andrea was undergoing emergency surgery for a hernia that was blocking her bowel. After the surgery, Andrea noticed a lump protruding from her stomach, which, three months later, had not improved.

To investigate further, Andrea was sent for a CA125 test — a blood test that looks for a protein that can be produced by ovarian cancer cells. The results showed elevated levels of the cancer-causing protein which encouraged her treatment team to investigate...

Opening of the Nutrition and Head & Neck Respite Hub

Dry July ambassadors for the RMH returned to the Parkville campus this month to celebrate the opening of a new hub supporting our cancer patients.

The Nutrition and Head and Neck Respite Hub provides a private space for cancer patients who, because of their treatment, are unable to consume their foods orally. Patients can use the space while they complete their nasal or tube feeding, and to clean their equipment.

The development of the hub, located near the atrium at the Grattan St entrance, was supported through Dry July fundraising, which encourages individuals to go alcohol-free for a month to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

Among the special guests at the opening were Steve and Robyn Mahoney.

Steve and Robyn did not know...

Beth's Story

27-year-old Beth Gilmore stretchered onto a plane to Brisbane after a shock blood cancer diagnosis.

Just days after a routine blood test, Beth Gilmore was told that she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and was stretchered onto a plane bound for Brisbane for emergency treatment – not knowing when she’d see her partner, friends or family again.

In September 2022, things were looking up for 27-year-old Beth Gilmore. She recently graduated from university and settled into a new home to begin her promising career in teaching.

“I had recently completed my Bachelor in Teaching and had moved to a small town to begin my career. I just returned from a holiday to New Zealand and was excited to plan my next adventure”, Beth says.

But upon her return...

Germaine and Daisy's Story

In 2021, Germaine was diagnosed with myeloma. Through the support and care of the incredible staff at St Vincent's Hospital, Germaine is now in remission and looking forward to all that life offers. By supporting St Vincent's Hospital this Dry July, you're helping people like Germaine and Daisy.

Listen to Germaine and Daisy's Story Here!

Joanne's Story

“The thing about cancer is that it just keeps on giving. You’re never really free of it. I know I’ve done the hard stuff. I’ve ticked off surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, more surgeries, losing my hair, feeling unwell and the mental exhaustion. I’m in remission now and believe me, I’m so grateful to be here... but there’s always going to be more. You’re always on alert, there’s always surveillance and check-ups... and for me there’s also lymphedema. It just means I can’t ever completely move on.”

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, Joanne endured multiple surgeries, including double mastectomy and removal oflymph nodes, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

While pleasingly she’s now in remission, Joanne is one of an...

Check out how your Dry July funds have made a difference for Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre

The nursing staff at our rural service in Milton on the South Coast, NSW reached out expressing a need to purchase a vein finder.

Milton does not have a vascular access Clinical Nurse Consultant and when patients with difficult veins present sometimes multiple attempts are required to locate a vein. It has been witnessed that this can cause anxiety among some patients and also treatment delays.

Providing this piece of equipment which accurately detects veins in patients will completely eliminate the need for multiple attempts.

Thank you Dry July for providing this equipment to our rural service! In doing so we have reports of a more efficient service and reduced anxiety amongst both staff and patients.

Your Dry July funds have provided Patient Achievement Packs for Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre

Completing treatment is a significant personal achievement in the lives of our patients. We wanted to acknowledge this milestone by gifting our patients an achievement pack in the hope it provides them with feelings of accomplishment and empowerment.

Items selected for the packs were carefully curated, which include self care products such as moisturiser, lip balm, sunscreen, hairbrush, plus a diary, throat drops, mindfulness activity book and more.

Two different packs were created and products are bundled together in beautiful handmade tote bags kindly donated by Kiama Boomerang Bags.

The reaction from patients on receiving the packs has been extraordinary. It comes as a surprise to them and they have found it so thoughtful!

Thank you...

An update on Martine's Story

When Martine was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, she felt like her world was falling apart.

Today Martine has completed active treatment which consisted of a mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, preserving her eggs, chemotherapy, radiation and a medically 5-year induced menopause. Her strength and courage has been an inspiration to all of us. Martine shared with us what she has been up to and what life has been like since her last active treatment session of radiation in May 2022.

“I am fantastic, I am back to full training in the gym, ocean swimming and yoga. I am currently training for my second half marathon which is happening in NYC in March. I completed my first ever half marathon in September last year in Sydney. I also had...

Jim's Story

The Alfred treats thousands of people living with cancer each year through our world-class service.

This includes five radiotherapy bunkers (three at The Alfred and two at Latrobe Regional Hospital), 40 inpatient beds, 18 day-admission chairs and 10 cancer clinical trial chairs, among other things.

But it is programs like Dry July which can help with some of the little – and not so little – challenges that confront many of our patients, some who come to The Alfred from regional and remote parts of Victoria. Accommodation and transport for some patients who travel long distances to The Alfred for treatment is just one of the programs supported by Dry July to help improve our service.

One of the many patients to benefit from this program is...