Helping people affected by cancer

Dry July funds help Look Good Feel Better support people like Jodie

Jodie's Story

"I found a lump in my breast in August last year, but to be honest I didn’t take it too seriously. I’m a young mum of two daughters, aged 14 and 10, and I didn’t think people like me, with no family history, got cancer.

When my GP referred me very quickly for a biopsy and further testing I became more concerned, and within four days of my initial check-up I received a breast cancer diagnosis. It completely took the wind out of me. I was shocked, scared and confused. And of course, the biggest question was why me?

As the plans were laid out for my treatment, my breast care nurse told me about the Look Good Feel Better workshops, and I was thrilled at the idea of joining with other women in the same position as me. I knew what...

Chris' Story

Chris has been battling cancer for nine years. Thank you for supporting her, and thousands more patients at Flinders who are affected by cancer.

Chris was first diagnosed with a rare cancer form nine years ago. Since then she’s undergone eight different types of treatment – including surgery, different chemotherapies and clinical trials.

“The number of things that change as a result of a cancer diagnosis shouldn’t be underestimated,” Chris says.

“You have multiple medical appointments, treatment times, blood tests, scans, all of which you need to manage and follow through on."

“You may be working and must juggle work and treatment. You may not have access to leave or an understanding workplace."

“And it’s not just you who is affected by...

2019 Dry July funds helped Mummy’s Wish create 300 Care Packs!

Since 1st January 2020 Mummy's Wish has sent out 300 Care packs to mums with cancer across Australia. These Care Packs are posted to all mums registered with us to help prepare and support them and their families as mum goes through treatment for cancer.

Each Care Pack includes:

• The Mummy’s Wish voice recordable Comfort Bear provided for each child aged 12 and under in the family. Mum is able to record a message of love for her little one/s that the child can listen to and feel reassured whenever they are separated from their mum due to her treatment.

• Age appropriate therapeutic book(s) for her children that assists mums in discussing their cancer journey and associated emotions with their children. The books resourced have been...

Thanks to funds raised through Dry July 2019, comfort and colour transforms cancer patient waiting areas

With the help of funds raised by 2019 Dry July participants, patients and carers are walking into more comfortable and welcoming space thanks to an upgrade of the Westmead Hospital Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre.

New lounges and chairs, phone charging stations, TV screens, sound absorption wall tiles, and a fresh colour scheme with Australian-themed artworks are among the features of the five overhauled patient waiting rooms, designed from scratch with consumer input.

Lung cancer patient and Vietnam War veteran Steven Chamulko said he appreciated the thought that went into the redesign.

“When you walk into somewhere that’s colourful, light and bright you feel better, rather than somewhere drab that gets you down,” Steven said.

“I’ve...

BRICC Wellness Centre benefits from 2019 Dry July funds!

The funds raised for BRICC Wellness Centre from last year’s Dry July campaign helped support the services on offer which are complimentary for patients of the facility and their families.

The patients utilised a range of services featured, all helping them throughout their journey, providing advice, guidance, support and a range of other services. Whether it was yoga, relaxation, mindfulness, bra and breast form fittings, art therapy, financial advice, all of these programs are of great benefit to BRICC patients.

Along with funding a range of offerings the Dry July campaign proudly supported the oncology massage program, which delivered nearly 1000 massages last year to cancer patients within the Ballarat and Grampians region.

A chance at life through exercise

By supporting ONJ Cancer Centre through Dry July you will help cancer patients reap the benefits of regular exercise during their treatment and recovery.

International research shows exercise is an effective therapy for cancer patients to improve their overall health and wellbeing while undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy. However, about 60 to 70 per cent of people with cancer do not do enough aerobic exercises and 80 to 90 per cent do not do enough resistance exercises during cancer treatment. People who are more physically active have lower recurrence rates, reduced metastatic rates and a higher chance of beating cancer as a disease.

Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome in 2016, Lori Crupi’s world became one of chemotherapy,...

New sleep pods added in the Canberra Region Cancer Centre!

Through the wonderful support of the Dry July community in 2019, new sleep pods were added to the waiting areas in the Canberra Region Cancer Centre.

These sleep pods provide privacy and comfort for patients waiting between appointments and procedures. Fundraising for Canberra Hospital Foundation supports cancer patient in our region, many who travel long distances to receive treatment.

Your help allows the Foundation to fund the tea trolley for refreshments, floral displays throughout the Centre and our Therapeutic Harpist to provide a comforting and caring environment.

Kind Hands Massage Program

One of the many programs made possible through 2019 Dry July funding at the PA Hospital is the Kind Hands Massage Program.

As a result of an outpatient survey prepared by the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s (PAH) Cancer Services Division in 2018 examining what wellness meant for patients attending cancer services, and what could be done to improve their wellbeing, relaxation and massage were recurrent.

Subsequently, the Cancer Wellness Initiative group began working with PAH Volunteer Services to establish the Kind Hands Massage program in 2019. A select team of volunteers now offers gentle hand or foot massages to patients on Ward 2E and in Day Care Oncology on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the morning and afternoon.

Feedback from patients...

Solaris Cancer Care provide online wellness programs

Thanks to funds raised through Dry July 2019, Solaris Cancer Care have been providing comprehensive support to cancer patients during the COVID-19 crisis. Through their provision of online wellness programs and self-care services, Solaris have been running counselling delivered via Zoom, phone, or email to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation given the current circumstances. Support Groups and Demonstrations via online classes have also been made available for cancer patients to access, to maintain optimal physical and mental wellbeing.