Helping people affected by cancer

Continuing the Oncology Massage Program

Flinders Foundation will use Dry July 2016 funding to extend the Flinders Infusion Suite (FIS) in-chair Oncology Massage Program to run for the entire year of 2017.

The program currently operates two hours a day, five days per week.

Flinders Foundation started this program in 2013 within the Flinders Infusion Suite in the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer (FCIC) and it has proven to be extremely popular with patients and staff. Since its inception there has been a growing evidence-base for the role of oncology massage for effectively managing physical and psychological symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment.

An experienced Oncology Massage Therapist attends the FCIC Infusion Suite to offer free 20 minute hand and foot...

7 East Patient Kitchen at The Alfred

The patient kitchen in ward 7 East at The Alfred was recently renovated using funds from Dry July 2015.

The upgrade included installation of a duel water filter tap which provides filtered cold water and boiling water from a unit above the sink; adding more storage; building a shelf for the ice machine; including a shelf for the microwave to free up bench space; and fitting out an area for bin storage. Patients spend a lot of time on the ward and these simple upgrades to the kitchen area will make the space a little more welcoming and usable - now more than one person can use the kitchen at the same time!

CoastCanCare Upcoming Programs

CoastCanCare is a supportive program for adults on the Central Coast living with cancer. The program's goal is to address the needs of patients and incorporates care domains in nutrition, psychosocial care, physical therapy, speech pathology, care coordination, and access to complementary therapies such as Music, Art Therapies. Dry July 2016 funds will continue to support CoastCanCare.

Currently scheduled programs include: 4 x 8 week Practical exercise classes, “Your Next Step to Wellness”; 3 x 6 week “Project Wellness” courses; 2 x “Staying Positive” workshops; and 2 x “Self-Care” workshops – facilitated by Quest for Life.

The program has recently released outcomes from its first 18 months, wherein it provided 250 hours of programs to...

Hand Massage Program

Arbonne Independent Consultant, Virginia Rogers, visits Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre each week to provide free hand massage to patients in the BRICC Chemotherapy Day Unit. Virginia has been providing the weekly service since January 2016, thanks to the generous support of a grant from the Dry July Foundation.

Information Lounge

In its previous form, the Information Lounge (formerly the Resource Room) at Canberra Region Cancer Centre was underutilised and confusing. Patients were not sure if the room was for their use, or for the staff. There was very little space to display information.

With funding from Dry July, the Information Lounge has been made accessible and useful, with the removal of a wall, refitting of display shelves and computer desks, and a bookcase. Since opening in March, there has been an enormous increase in the use of the room, and the amount of information being accessed by patients and carers. Having the information on display and with the room having been opened up, patients and carers are utilising the space, and are now able to self...

Entertainment Trolley for Young Adult Patients

Canberra Region Cancer Centre loaded up a trolley with an Xbox, TV, Music dock, headphones, ipad and various games for use on the Xbox, using donations from Dry July.

Young people (aged 15-25) treated for cancer within Canberra Hospital are treated in adult settings – outpatient radiation and chemotherapy clinics and the inpatient ward (14B). There is no dedicated space for them or entertainment relevant to their interests.

The entertainment trolley is managed by the AYA Cancer Specialist Nurse and provided to patients in the cancer outpatient clinics, ward 14B and various wards around the hospital where young patients might be admitted.

I get excellent feedback from patients who have used the entertainment trolley. Often times these...

Herbal Tea

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne used a portion of funds from Dry July 2015 to purchase complimentary Tea Drop Pyramid Tea for patients to enjoy.

The herbal tea helps with relaxation.

Wig Library

Royal North Shore Hospital uses Dry July funding towards replenishing it's free Wig Library. The Wig Library is situated within the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre as part of the Cansupport Program. Patients are provided with a personalised wig fitting either by dropping in or by appointment.

The service is an important part of the support program provided by Cansupport and assists patients in managing hair loss associated with treatment. The service is mainly used by women; however, there is increasing demand from men.

Cansupport staff and volunteers provide the service which includes education on wearing the wig, care of it as well as emotional support. A range of turbans and other headwear is available also. These are kindly donated by...

Music Therapy at Mater

Hearing the words “you’ve got cancer” – how music therapy is helping people like Cheryl*

It’s a sad fact that today in Queensland, up to 70 people and their families will be completely blindsided by a cancer diagnosis.

Following a cancer diagnosis, patients will normally undergo a series of medical treatments. They will attend multiple doctors’ appointments and undergo regular scans, blood tests and other examinations. Inevitably, these people will also experience the darker side of cancer—a great deal of fear, uncertainty and emotional distress.

But not all cancer treatments need to be difficult or frightening all the time.

Mater’s music therapy program relies on funding from supporters like Dry July, and provides patients with a chance...