Helping people affected by cancer

Mater patient, Carolyn, benefits from cooling cap

When Carolyn Attwood was facing chemotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, one of her first questions was whether she would lose her hair.

“I was devastated when I was told I would,” she recalled.

“Hair is a sign of health and life and normalcy. I loved my hair. It was really long and losing it made me feel like people would stare at me in the street, and that my friends, family and co-workers wouldn’t see a bright, confident person anymore—just a weak, sick person.”

Carolyn, then 34, underwent surgery to remove her breast and lymph nodes at Mater Private Hospital Springfield—where she also works as a bookings officer—and prepared herself for five rounds of chemotherapy.

Fortunately, there was some good news.

She was offered...

Monique's story

Doctors have told Monique Bareham that she is cancer-free. But she’ll never really be free of cancer.

Like so many cancer survivors, the effects of the disease and the years of treatment continue to impact her each day – physically, mentally, financially and on employment and relationships.

At 36, Monique led a busy life, was dedicated to her career, and had plans for a family.

But Monique says it all came to a “grinding halt” when she found a lump in her breast.

“The days went from being normal to being aboard the cancer train,” Monique, now 45, says.

There were multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and courses of hormone and other drug therapies.

She also developed breast cancer related lymphoedema which has permanently left...

Reflected legacy at Liverpool Hospital - funded by Dry July

Reflected legacy is a groundbreaking arts and health program at Liverpool Hospital. Led by visual artist Flutter Lyon, this project compliments the holistic care of cancer patients in palliative care, while enhancing and changing the physical environment for patients, families and staff on the ward.

Why the program exists

Connection.insight.healing.

When we tell our stories, it gives us a way of sharing and reflecting upon the life we are living, free expression and story telling offers a deepened sense of connection to the value and meaning of our individual and shared life experiences.

It can bring comfort, celebration and beauty during challenging time in our lives, encouraging the recall of memories and key points in our life that we...

Roberta's story

Roberta has been a long term patient at the Canberra Hospital and the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. It was a second cancer diagnosis 11 year years ago of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma just after coming to Canberra to live, which has resulted in her receiving ongoing treatment this whole time.

After extensive chemotherapy and then a stem cell transplant, Roberta’s immune system was compromised which means she comes into the centre every month to receive maintenance treatment.

Roberta has seen the changes within the hospital and move into the Canberra Region Cancer Centre over 3 years ago. She appreciates the services that are offered from the volunteers especially the tea service. Roberta could not speak highly enough of the staff and support...

Pauline's story

Choices Cancer Support program is pleased to announce we are included as a new beneficiary for the Dry July campaign. Below is Pauline’s story which demonstrates the integrated programs of Choices and the ways it supports Queenslanders facing cancer.

Why choose the Wesley’s Choices Cancer Support Centre?

Prior to my diagnosis, I had worked to help others in the Choices programs for many years, with Kim Walters Foundation and Think Pink. Choices, offered me the choices I needed to get me through this ‘Journey’…

I was 41 when my doctor said those words (that echo as much today as on that day) “You have breast cancer”, that was 11th June 2013. I am very lucky to have an extremely supportive husband and two beautiful, then pre-teen...

Nilla's story

Nilla is vibrant and kind-hearted; however, like many of us, she was content with how life was. That was until her diagnosis; an experience she attributes to changing her life…

On the 19th October 2004, I heard the words that I never wanted or thought I would ever hear “Nilla, you have Breast Cancer”.

My Breast Cancer diagnosis should have and could have stopped me from doing, being, and achieving. However, the journey has been life changing and with the help of John my husband, family, and friends, I am proud to say that I am a twelve plus year thriver.

I knew I had to face my Breast Cancer challenge head on and do whatever it took to stay alive.

I was introduced to Solaris Cancer Care when undergoing my Radiotherapy treatment at Sir...

Bruce's feedack

Dry July helped Royal North Shore Hospital purchase 7 new treatment chairs for the day unit.

The patients who receive their treatment in these chairs regularly tell the Nursing staff how much more comfortable they are when they have to sit in them for hours on end. The Nurses also report that the chairs have improved patient safety and allow them to administer treatment more easily.

"These chairs are heaven compared to the old ones. They've made a long day of treatment much more comfortable and they're so much easier to get on and off as well. The nurses love them as it is easier and safer for them to treat us.

Bruce 79 years

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...