Helping people affected by cancer

New treatment chairs for the Day Treatment Centre

The Calvary Mater Newcastle Day Treatment Centre is pleased to be able to provide our patients with a little more comfort with the procurement of two new chemotherapy treatment chairs thanks to Dry July fundraising. Not only do the chairs reduce the risk of pressure injuries for those patients receiving long treatments but they provide a place where patients can charge personal devices and a platform to support them.

Marissa Ledlin, Nurse Unit Manager of the Day Treatment Centre, comments, “Many of our patients are required to sit in the treatment chair for up to nine hours so it’s essential that they are very comfortable. Our new chairs with the silica upholstery are that and more – we call them the Rolls Royce of our chairs.”

The...

The Prince of Wales Hospital Cancer Survivorship Centre - Launching April 2019

Cancer is a major cause of illness and premature death in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Every year around 5,000 people are diagnosed with cancer. More than one in three local community members will develop cancer during their lifetime.

The Prince of Wales Hospital Cancer Survivorship Centre will be located in the Medical Superintendent’s Cottage, adjacent to the Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Constructed in 1867, the Superintendent’s Cottage is of historical significance as part of the former Destitute Children’s Asylum. The site demonstrates an uninterrupted progression of history from the operation of the orphanage in the mid-19th century, then as a military hospital and repatriation hospital during the early...

New hats and Turbans at Calvary Mater Newcastle

Thanks to Dry July Funding, new hats, turbans and scarves were able to be purchased for oncology patients receiving treatment at Calvary Mater Newcastle.

Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer. For many, hair loss is a defining factor that they have cancer.

Helen Moore, Clinical Nurse Consultant and McGrath Breast Care Nurse at Calvary Mater Newcastle, says, “Covering your head as your hair falls out is a purely personal decision. For many people, hair is associated with personal identity and health, so they choose to maintain that look by wearing wigs, hats and scarves.

“Out of pocket expenses can be significant for people having treatment for cancer and this...

Dry July Foundation visit the ONJ Centre

In December, we were honoured to be asked to hold Dry July’s Board Meeting (the first time they have held a board meeting outside of Sydney) and our Acting CEO, Dr Mary O’Reilly, was delighted when Dry July CEO and founder Brett MacDonald announced that Dry July Foundation would be giving an additional $97,400 in grant funding to the ONJ Centre. This makes 2018 our most successful year yet with over $180,000 coming from Dry July Foundation to support vital wellness programs, improving patient comfort, care and wellbeing.

You can read more about the visit and the projects that the funding is being used for by clicking HERE.

Christina's Story

My partner and I met in Australia and moved to London together four years ago when I was 23 years old. I am self-employed, providing consulting and training services in the data protection and IT governance environment for businesses. I set-up the business when I was living in the UK alongside co-founding a cybersecurity startup with exciting new opportunities.

Whilst living in the UK, I noticed a pea-sized lump in my neck. It was around for a few weeks and I didn’t think much of it. Then over two days, the lump grew from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball and I knew I had to immediately get it checked.

I wasn’t actually worried about it at all at first; the three week process was that it was just a cist and we were testing to...

$4 million distributed in the Dry July Foundation 2018 Grant Program

We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2018 Dry July Foundation Grant Program.

The money for the Grant Program was raised by Dry July 2018 participants, who elected to fundraise for the Dry July Foundation as part of their alcohol-free month.

In October, the Dry July Foundation invited cancer support organisations to apply for a grant. Each grant application was capped at $50,000, however organisations could apply for more than one grant.

We received an incredible 171 grant applications from 65 organisations across Australia, totalling over $6.4m. With $4.1m available from this year’s Dry July, we were able to award funding to 138 projects.

Since 2008, the Dry July Foundation has funded more than 1,200 projects for 80 cancer...

Therapeutic Harp Program + more at Canberra Hospital

Funding from the Dry July campaign and a grant from the Dry July Foundation ACT has ensured the continuation of the beloved therapeutic harp program at Canberra Hospital.

Harp therapy has been shown to help cancer patients cope with the side effects of their treatment, and can provide a sense of calm to patients who may feel distressed and anxious in a busy hospital environment.

The program at The Canberra Hospital is delivered by a certified harp therapist and has been funded by Dry July since 2012.

Additional funds have provided a water and ice station so patients do not have to leave their treatment area; waiting area refurbishments, a 12 month magazine and newspaper subscription and floral displays to brighten up the reception areas.

Dry July Foundation funds Arterie Carterie Program and more!

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse received an amazing $137,500 in funding from the Dry July Foundation to continue it's complimentary therapy program, 'Arterie Carterie'. Arterie is an innovative inter-disciplinary model of art in healthcare practice, specifically designed to improve outcomes for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse patients, families, carers and staff by easing the side effects of cancer and its treatment such as stress, pain, fatigue, isolation and depression. Arterie participates in a way that fits with the patient’s treatment – it is non-invasive, inclusive and supportive.

Additional funds also enabled the purchase of specialist chairs for the intensive care unit and wards, extend the Complimentary Therapy Inpatient Program that will...

Wellness Program continues on the Central Coast thanks to Dry July Foundation funding

Thanks to an $80,000 grant from the Dry July Foundation the continuation of the CoastCanCare wellness program is guaranteed to continue in 2019.

Workshop sessions include mindfulness; practical exercise education and goal setting; music and art therapy; tai chi; meditation and vision board planning have taken place in 14 different suburbs and utilised 19 different venues across the Central Coast.

Positive feedback from CoastCanCare participants include:

“This group has been my lifesaver keeping me focussed on the future not on my past journey”

“I loved listening to the different speakers. All people were friendly - helped me a lot with my rollercoaster day and gave me purpose”

“I love this program and have found it has made such a...