Helping people affected by cancer

Julie benefits from Dry July funded programs- Barwon Health Geelong

I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Physiotherapy Assistant on the Oncology ward. The program has allowed me try things I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, knowing she was there to support me and guide me through the program. She was able to spend time with me to extend on exercises, allow me extra mobility practice and other therapeutic techniques such as yoga breathing and mindfulness strategies to gain confidence in my own abilities. I have appreciated her hard work, patience and knowledge. She is confident in her interactions and I have enjoyed working with her on a personal level.

Julie

Dry July Funds assist in refurbishments of Crawford and Milford Lodges

Dry July funding comprised part of the $2 million cost of recent refurbishments at these Perth based lodges, facilitating stays by an additional 340 country cancer patients each year.The refurbishments have created an additional nine guest rooms, six at Crawford and three at Milroy, including the brand new family unit which can accommodate a family of six. Each suite has an ensuite bathroom, bedside table and lamps, lounge or arm chair, table and two chairs, tea/coffee making facilities, refrigerator, telephone, television and clothes storage.

Alongside the addition of guest rooms, at Crawford Lodge we have taken the opportunity to create an additional communal kitchen with an outdoor decking area, new laundry facilities and installed a...

Dry July Foundation funding for Oncology massage

The patients on 5FS, Peninsula Health's Oncology and Haematology Ward at Frankston Hospital now has access to specialist massages thanks to the Dry July Foundation. McCrae local Ronald Carter who has blood cancer, says the massages have helped offset the side effects of his treatment.

Funding for the Cancer Services Guide

A guide to support services for Victorians affected by cancer.

Finding the right support when they need it most is important to the overall wellbeing of cancer patients, families and carers as they manage the news of a diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer.

The Cancer Services guide can help cancer patients, and their friends and family find support services that suits situation.

Including over 470 services, any one, with any cancer, at any stage can find something useful in this guide.

Cancer Council Victoria has released a new Cancer Services Guide, thanks to Dry July funding.

Making a real difference to the lives of cancer patients

This July, a dedicated group of fundraisers supported St Vincent's Hospital Cancer Centre through the Dry July campaign. This committed bunch raised a staggering $41,000 which will enable St Vincent’s Hospital to purchase a scalp cooling cap for patient’s going through chemotherapy.

The scalp cooling cap reduces the risk of hair loss during chemotherapy. By decreasing the scalp temperature and blood flow to hair follicles, the cooling caps alleviate the damage of chemotherapy.

This new piece of equipment will significantly transform people’s lives living with cancer by improving their self-confidence and dignity during this difficult time.

Along with the scalp cooling cap, Dry July donations will also be used to purchase patient comforts...

Dry July Funds linen and lighting refit for Lodge in Toowoomba

Olive McMahon Lodge Toowoomba

During treatment, some guests often do not feel strong enough physically or emotionally to interact with other guests. Rooms become a personal haven for patients and their carers. These rooms were in need of an upgrade to the linen and lighting.

Hospitality grade soft furnishings have been chosen for service and wearability, whilst offering warmth, comfort and a sense of luxury. Lamps with a solid base will be chosen to ensure stability and safety.

Music in bunkers for CPMCC Patients

Thanks to funds raised by Dry July, The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre Westmead have been able to purchase iPads for their radiation treatment rooms, to entertain and distract patients during treatment.

During radiation treatment, patients are alone in the room for treatment whilst therapists control treatment from outside. The iPads mean that patients can select their own music to help make the treatment space for comfortable, and is more calming than the quiet, clinical environment usually found in radiotherapy bunkers.

The music has helped patients reduce anxiety and take their mind off the daily treatment, making them more relaxed.

There has been great feedback from the iPads, and many requests for a large range of music genre...

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...

Mindfulness program in regional Queensland - Thanks to Dry July

Cancer Council Queensland’s Introduction to mindfulness Workshop is an interactive, skills based workshop that has been designed to support people who are facing cancer related challenges. In this half day program, participants learn more about what mindfulness is, and are introduced to mindfulness skills that can help them to be more present in their lives and spend less time worrying about the past or the future.

Some comments from the Wide Bay/Bundaberg session :

Which aspects of the workshop did you find most helpful?

"The complete program "

"Exercises, meditation and discussing issues with other people in the group. "

"I found it all helpful. "

"How to help myself unwind. "

"All! The practising of being mindful – breathing eating and...