Helping people affected by cancer

Nelly's Story

Nelly has always been a career woman. She started her first job when she was 14 and “hasn’t stopped since”. Her career in chemical and environmental management has spanned decades and seen her go from graduating from multiple diplomas to managing multi-million-dollar projects for global corporations – she thought there was nothing that could slow her down.

On top of this, her passion has always been her family, looking after her 3 children, husband and parents.

That was until October 2021, when Nelly was at the height of her career, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“I’d been experiencing symptoms for over a year. I had a lot of trouble with my back; it felt like something was pushing against my back. The feeling then moved from my...

2021 Dry July funding is helping OCA provide psychosocial support to women when it’s needed most

Your Dry July fundraising in 2021 is supporting our Helpline and expanding our Psychosocial Support Team which provides psychological, practical and emotional support to people diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The newly recruited specialist positions have been filled by Amy (Genetics Counsellor), Anna (Allied Health Assistant) and Margie (Psychologist).

Below is some feedback we’ve received from people who access our Psychosocial Support Services:

• ‘The compassionate, empathetic, knowledgeable team went above and beyond to help me in my darkest period of this journey.’

• ‘I think it is important to talk and it helps to talk to someone who is not family or a friend.’

• ‘Your team were there for me when no else was. I am grateful.’

• ‘I...

Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre launch their Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions virtually

With face to face sessions cancelled due to the pandemic, our Clinical Psychology team worked to reinvent our Living Fully with the Cancer Experience sessions, designed for patients who have completed their treatment. We were so excited to launch our six week pilot program, virtually, in October 2021!

Classes were capped at eight participants to ensure an intimate experience. Psychologists Susan and Donna described the sessions as ‘therapeutic, rather than supportive in style, covering a range of themes to help reduce stress, facilitate coping, and encourage participants to engage more fully in their life despite uncertainty and distress”

To truly immerse themselves in the sessions, each participant received a carefully curated Dry July...

Kathleen's Story

Since watching her sister go through breast cancer eight years ago, Kathleen has been scrupulous about having her breasts checked every year, never missing a mammogram or ultrasound.

However, two years ago her right breast blew up in size and Kathleen went straight back to her GP, having had her mammogram only a few months before, where nothing had been detected. Sadly, upon that next visit, triple negative breast cancer in her right breast was diagnosed.

Unfortunately for Kathleen, cancer is a common thread in her family, with her sister, cousins and aunt all being diagnosed with breast cancer before her. At the time, they all tested negative during genetic testing, which left the family baffled. However, new testing has revealed that...

Francesca's Story

I was diagnosed with Stage III bowel cancer at the age of 38.

I honestly didn’t know anything about bowel cancer before I was diagnosed. I’ve since been told it’s ‘an old man’s disease’ which I now know not to be the case with about 1400 people under 50 diagnosed with bowel cancer in Australia every year. The individual circumstances of each person’s diagnosis also mean everyone has a very different experience of how they are treated.

When I contacted Bowel Cancer Australia’s free Helpline, I had an instant connection with the Bowel Care Nurses and Nutritionists.

They’ve been a constant source of strength and encouragement ever since – helping me manage nutritional challenges, nerve damage, and an emotional roller coaster.

Cancer turned...

More men and families benefit from Dry July funded PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Services

With thanks to Dry July Foundation, PCFA has significantly expanded its Specialist Nursing Service with the launch of a new nationwide Telenursing Service.

Thanks to your donations, our hospital-based nurses and telenurses are successfully meeting the growing demand for support of Australian men and families with prostate cancer:

• Over 300 new Telenursing calls each month

• Over 1700 new survivors connect each month

• Over 8,000 hospital consultations each month

The introduction of the Telenursing Service means men and their loved ones have more options for connecting with our Specialist Nurses for expert care and advice.

PCFA’s General Manager Supportive Care Programs, Bernard Riley, says no calls go unanswered.

“We’re here to provide...

Your 2021 Dry July fundraising went towards Leukaemia Foundation’s incredible Blood Cancer Support Coordinators

Whether it’s a friendly face to turn to for someone newly diagnosed, information about treatment and side effects or assistance with transportation or emergency accommodation — the Blood Cancer Support Team is here to provide precious relief and guidance at every turn for Aussies living with blood cancer.

Last year, the funds you raised went towards:

• Improving digital and online access to support for patients across the country.

• The introduction of a triage team so that patients and carers can immediately get in touch with the right people.

• A bigger focus on specialist areas such as exercise and supporting regional and rural communities.

• Launching an online referral form process where blood cancer patients can refer themselves...

Thanks to you, Cancer Council can run their 13 11 20 Information and Support Service for another year

Your Dry July fundraising in 2021 helped Cancer Council continue to support people affected by cancer across Australia through their 13 11 20 Information and Support Line – an incredible feat that would have been impossible without you.

“As a healthcare professional working on 13 11 20, I know how important the information and support we provide to our callers are. Generous funding from Dry July enables our service to continue its vital work.” – Jan Priaulx 13 11 20 Healthcare Professional

13 11 20 is there for all Australians, with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals answering calls from hundreds of Australians every single day. Over $3million was raised in 2021 which was directed to 13 11 20 across Australia, the money you...

Dry July Foundation funds 40 projects across Australia from the 2021 October Grant Round

We’re so excited to announce recipients of Dry July Foundation funding from the 2021 October Grant Round.

We have been able to fund 40 projects across 34 organisations. These projects and programs benefit cancer patients, their families and carers; aiming to make a difficult time, a little easier for those affected by cancer. Here are the successful applicants and the projects they will be delivering…

Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre

• BRICC Wellness Centre Programs - 15 programs previously supported by DJF including Yoga; Art therapy; financial counselling; Shiatsu, Mindfulness, Delta Dog Visits, Reiki etc.

Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Geelong

• Virtual Reality Headsets for the Chemotherapy Day Ward - Purchase of...