Helping people affected by cancer

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...

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!