Your support made a difference. Thank you
Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge for Bowel Cancer Australia in 2026. We are pleased to announce we raised $185, 000 to support people affected by bowel cancer and are extremely grateful for your awareness and fundraising efforts.
By taking part in Dry July, you’re helping Bowel Cancer Australia to expand our specialist Bowel Care Nurse program.
The 100% community funded program enables people with bowel cancer to receive dedicated in-person clinical, psychosocial and emotional support from a specialist Bowel Care Nurse in the place where they are receiving treatment. Improving equity of access to personalised care and tailored support and allowing more people to access coordinated care closer to home.
Despite being the fourth...
Thank you from PCFA
In this short message, PCFA’s Director of Nursing shares how your fundraising in Dry July 2026 will help support specialist nurses and the tele-nursing helpline, providing vital support to people living with prostate cancer across Australia.
With almost 300,000 men living with prostate cancer, your support matters. Take a moment to hear directly from PCFA and see how your generosity will help make a difference.
Thank you for helping make sure no one faces cancer alone
Thank you so much for taking on Dry July in 2026 and supporting Cancer Council through your fundraising this year.
Because of incredible people like you, no one has to face cancer alone. The funds raised help keep Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 Information and Support line available to provide practical and emotional support for Australians impacted by cancer - when they need it most.
For many people, reaching out to 13 11 20 is a brave step. They may be feeling overwhelmed, frightened, or uncertain about what lies ahead. Thanks to your support, when they make that call, they're met with compassionate healthcare professionals who are ready to listen, guide and support them.
“As a healthcare professional working on 13 11 20, I know how important...
Thank you to our Dry July 2026 Fundraisers
"We are incredibly grateful to the Dry July community and our dedicated Eastern Health staff for raising more than $21,800 in our inaugural campaign and exceeding our $20,000 goal.
Thanks to this funding, we will be able to replace two treatment chairs in our cancer services with new Quantum Treatment Recliners, providing greater comfort, support and dignity for patients during lengthy treatments. For many people, these chairs become their home for hours at a time.
This generosity will make a meaningful difference to the experience of cancer patients, while also supporting their families and carers through a more comfortable and compassionate treatment environment. We look forward to sharing an update when this equipment arrives."
Philip...
Natasha’s Cancer Journey: Why Dry July Means More Than Going Alcohol-Free
In 2022, Natasha’s life changed in an instant. What she thought was lingering symptoms from COVID turned out to be Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), leading to weeks in hospital and months of intensive treatment at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH).
Now living cancer-free, Natasha reflects on her cancer journey, the incredible care she received, and why supporting Dry July continues to make a real difference for patients and families facing cancer.
Looking back, can you tell us about the moment your life changed (being diagnosed)?
Hearing the words "you have cancer" was terrifying. It didn't feel real, and for a long time it was hard to process that this was happening to me. In retrospect it still feels surreal that I was so acutely unwell...
Kristen's 'Why' for Dry July
For Kristen Buik, taking part in Dry July for Flinders Foundation isn't about giving something up – it's about giving back.
Last year, her son Tom was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sarcoma at just 24 years old, and has been receiving treatment at Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. Since then, life for the Buik family has been measured in scans, chemotherapy treatments, specialist appointments and anxious waits for results.
"Giving up alcohol for 31 days is a small sacrifice," Kristen says. "If it helps raise funds for services and equipment that make life a little easier for people facing cancer and their families, it is the very least I can do."
While Kristen and her family walk beside Tom through every appointment and...
Here's What We're Working Towards, Together, This Dry July
Every dollar will help improve cancer care, close to home.
Thanks to the incredible support of our Dry July community in 2025, Barwon Health Foundation was able to fund new chemotherapy chairs, wellness programs, specialist equipment and patient support initiatives at Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre and cancer services, that continue to improve the experience of local cancer patients every day.
In 2026, we're aiming high!
Together, we hope to fund:
$45,000 - Wellness programs and patient support services that provide comfort, connection and care beyond treatment.
$56,019 - Seven additional chemotherapy chairs, ensuring more patients can receive treatment comfortably and helping meet growing demand.
$20,000 - Specialised exercise...
Taz's Story
Cancer wasn't something Taz ever expected.
She was busy enjoying life, building her career and looking ahead to the future when she was suddenly faced with a life-changing and life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
The months that followed were incredibly tough. Throughout her treatment, Taz experienced first-hand the exceptional care and compassion of the teams at Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre and the dedicated nurses on Baxter 6, who supported her through some of her most difficult days.
Now, Taz is sharing her story to help raise awareness of the incredible work happening every day across Barwon Health's cancer services, and to encourage others to support Dry July so more local patients can benefit from the same care.
"There is...
Dry July has started!
Dry July has officially started!
First up a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s already signed up and started fundraising for Eastern Health You’re incredible.
Now for the real question…
If it’s not wine or beer tonight, what’s in your cup?
Fancy hot chocolate?
Herbal tea?
Iced matcha?
Sparkling water with a slice of lime?
We’re officially declaring July the month of elevated non-alcoholic rituals
Post a picture of your go-to Dry July drink on Instagram and tag us at @easternhealthau. Let’s inspire each other to stay on track AND keep those donations flowing.
You've already made an amazing start so let’s keep going strong