Helping people affected by cancer

Thanks to our 2020 Dry Julyers, refurbishment are about to start on Westmead's Quiet Room and Telehealth Consult Room's

Work is shortly set to start on refurbishing our quiet room, located near our clinics.

This space provides a quiet and confidential area for distressed patients and their treating team to use for counselling.

Our Telehealth room which is used for consultations to regional areas will also enjoy a make-over. Both rooms will be decorated in the same theme as our other patient areas which were refurbished from 2019 Dry July funding.

Your determination during Dry July has helped us upgrade across our Solaris centres to enrich our cancer clients’ experience

With your aid, we have managed to upgrade our patient booking system and replace the computers, screens, keyboard and mouse for our Meet and Greet volunteers to make the patient booking system more seamless. These upgrades have enabled our compassionate volunteers to book and track client appointments, therapy attendance, and communicate with clients on therapies such as massage and Bowen Therapy they would like follow-ups on.

Our aim is to help individuals with cancer, their families and carers live well. Thank you for helping us blend humanity with healthcare.

Your 2020 fundraising has given more women with breast cancer access to the ‘Return to Wellness’ Program at Mater’s Cancer Care Centre.

Developed by the Mater Breast Care team, Return to Wellness offers breast cancer patients' access to a guided exercise program with a physiotherapist and breast care nurse, and advice about their diet and lifestyle choices to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Senior Physiotherapist Oncology Services Leah McIntyre said because the classes are smaller they can help each participant reach their individual goals.

“Our exercise programs are tailored to our participants individual needs, medical status and personal goals. Cancer treatment takes its toll on the body and we are focused on helping them regain both their strength and confidence,” she said.

“This is an important part of our patient’s recovery and we are so proud to be...

Cancer Wellness Goes Virtual, Thanks To Dry July!

Many face-to-face cancer wellness programs have been unable to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect vulnerable cancer patients and their families. But the generosity of the Dry July Foundation has ensured patients can still access some of these - all from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

This funding enabled the Arts in Health service at Flinders Medical Centre to create a range of online videos and resources for patients, their carers and families including meditation and relaxation to music, art therapy, creative writing, journal making and illustration, guided art making and uplifting music.

Arts in Health at FMC Manager Sally Francis says the online resources had been tailored to meet the specific needs of...

Thanks to Dry July Foundation funding, the Lifehouse LivingRoom is able to offer a range of evidence-based complementary therapies

The Lifehouse LivingRoom is the home of Supportive Cancer Care and Integrative Medicine at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown, Sydney. Over the last few years, Dry July has been an integral part in funding our Lifehouse LivingRoom in our patient complementary therapies.

Kim Kerin-Ayres, one of our Livingroom Care Coordinators who works closely with our patients says “I think cancer can be really disempowering, so helping people regain some sense of control is probably one of the most important things we try to do. We integrate into their treatment regimen some of the therapies that are going to be helpful for them in the long run, or help keep them well. For some people, it's about managing their symptoms. For others it's about...

Thank you for supporting therapeutic music for the wellbeing of patients during their cancer treatment at Canberra Cancer Centre

Evidence based research has shown that music as a complementary modality is not only good for our health but can promote feelings of wellbeing. Music can provide a variety of touchstones for social, physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological health.

The harp has been used since ancient times to soothe, comfort and support people. And, thanks to your support in 2020, that is exactly what the Therapeutic Harp Program does for patients at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre

Therapeutic harpist, Alison gently plays her harp at the bedside of patients and more broadly throughout the shared spaces of the Canberra Region Cancer Centre. Through her harp, Alison is able to;

• Cultivate and promote a quiet space where sleep and deep rest can...

Your support has brought floral arrangements to the reception desks and waiting areas throughout the Canberra Region Cancer Centre

Thank you for bringing pops of colour and moments of brightness to patients.

The beautiful arrangements may seem like a small touch, but sometimes it really is the little things that make a big difference.

One patient remarked that the flowers were so lovely and helped to put a smile on her face, even if just for a few moments. Knowing they were made possible because of you, our Dry July supporters, made the flowers feel even more special to the patient.

The Gobbe Wellness Centre is now open to patients thanks to funding received from the Dry July Foundation

The centre is named in honour of the Gobbé family for their significant contribution to health services in our region.

The historic building provides a place for all patients, carers and their families to take time out to reflect, relax and regroup.

Along with the space, a dedicated Cancer Wellness Coordinator oversees a timetable of activities, such as oncology massage, yoga classes, music and art therapy and mindfulness sessions. These assist in improving the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of patients, carers and their families.

In the Centre is a library of wellness resources, a sleeping pod for people attending appointments and a kitchen that people can drop in for a cuppa.

Fundraising for Solaris will help support people like Margaret

I am a cancer patient survivor. I was diagnosed with stage one grade three aggressive cancer on April 21, 2020, right at the time of the COVID lockdown.

During my chemotherapy treatments, I was feeling very disconnected from the people and things I love. Music and singing being one of them.

Solaris offered me the opportunity to feel safe during that compromised immune time. It was a time when I also had lots of questions about “Why me?” but did not want to feel sorry for myself. I just wanted to get my big girl knickers on and kept moving forward towards a healthy me.

I first came to Sing for Joy – Solaris’s weekly musical choir – and I have to say how much it pushed me from my comfort zone. I got lost on the way, I was late. As I...