Helping people affected by cancer

Darren's Story

Every cancer story’s different. Every experience varied. This is just one of many, but this time it’s mine and I’d like to share it.

A routine men’s health check followed by a colonoscopy chaser triggered a whirlwind that changed our lives forever. In a post-anaesthetic haze I woke to the poker face of my gastroenterologist. “That was quick” I thought. Momentarily forgetting I had been unconscious. But before I had time for the thought to become verbal his poker face lips began to move. “All went well with the procedure, but we did discover a lesion”. Right ... the fog of haze messing with my understanding I asked, “What does that mean”? ‘Cancer’ His one word reply swiftly clearing the anaesthetic haze... Right.

Shock, disbelief,...

The Movement - Wellness Beyond Diagnosis

Funds raised through Dry July 2022 have supported the continuation of The Movement - Wellness Beyond Diagnosis, Bowel Cancer Australia’s nurse moderated and supportive online community for patients, loved ones and carers.

With close to 700 members and counting, the closed Facebook Group features monthly presentations by healthcare professionals from across the care continuum, access to resources, as well as facilitated live chats for members to connect with one another. Moderated by Clinical Nurse Consultant Sally, who also has a lived bowel cancer experience.

What patients are saying:

“I can't believe how amazingly supportive this group has been to me. After my initial diagnosis I wasoverwhelmed and so incredibly scared. I then found this...

Bowel Care Oncology Social Worker

Bowel Cancer Australia is pleased to welcome Australia's first dedicated Bowel Care Oncology Social Worker to our Patient Services team, offering further cancer-focused support to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of people with living with and beyond bowel cancer.

This fantastic new service is made possible thanks to a grant from the Dry July Foundation, and all the much-appreciated Dry July fundraisers and donations received.

“Your psychological and emotional health can have a significant impact on your physical health and ability. Social work therefore looks to holistically address your overall health and wellbeing. I am here to provide another part of the scaffold of support around you, helping to uphold you through your bowel cancer...

Thanks to you, Dry July Foundation funds projects and services across 49 different organisations

We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of Dry July Foundation funding from the 2022 October Grant Round.

With $3.266,000 available, we have been able to fund projects across 49 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 some of the successful applicants and the projects they will be delivering. Keep your eye on this post as more appear…

Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre (BRICC)

• Ultrasound Vascular Access Device - Purchase of a new vascular access system to help health care professionals visualise vessels, needle trajectory and final needle tip location significantly reducing the impact...

Canteen raise $184k thanks to our incredible 2022 Dry Julyers!

As a supporter of Canteen, we are delighted to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $184,472, and have also received additional funding from our grants round!

These funds have helped Canteen continue to help young cancer patients stay connected to study or work, both during and after their cancer treatment through Canteen’s Education and Career Support Service (ECS).

Young people can use the service at the point ofdiagnosis, during treatment as well as after treatment as they transition back into work or study.How amazing is that!

Bowel Cancer Australia raised $384,398 thanks to your Dry July fundraising!

You’ve helped fund the continuation of Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowel Care Oncology Social Worker service, Online Survivorship Community and Resource Hub (Bowel Care Nurse Moderated Facebook Group) and two additional integrated Bowel Care Nurses.

Bowel Cancer Australia’s integrated Bowel Care Nursing program supports the employment of dedicated part-time Bowel Care Nurses in regional communities across the country. Acting as a key point of contact for bowel cancer patients and their families as they navigate the health system in their local area – providing advice, education, support and direct patient care.

“Bowel cancer is Australia’s second deadliest cancer, but when detected early 99 per cent of cases can be successfully treated. We...

We are delighted to announce that with your help Chris O’Brien Lifehouse raised an astounding $128,767!

By taking part in Dry July, you’ve helped fund furniture for the waiting room of our new Level 7 ward; extended our complementary in-patient therapies and our Lymphoedema Program.

Being able to offer reflexology or massage therapy to our patients as they recover in their rooms makes such a difference to their well-being. Our recently opened new ward on Level 7 will now also have much needed new furniture for the waiting room allowing family and carers to be close by while their family member is treated.

We are beyond grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

On behalf of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with...

Your Dry July fundraising is helping Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital fund projects and equipment for people affected by cancer

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge and supporting Calvary Mater Newcastle this year. We are delighted to announce that with your help Calvary Mater Newcastle raised an astounding $27,113.

We are beyond grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication. By taking part in Dry July, you’ve enabled the hospital to fund projects and equipment that assist our patients, their families and carers, toward a more comfortable experience during and following their cancer treatment.

Your fundraising for Dry July this year has enabled Calvary Mater Newcastle to purchase

• New assistive equipment and pressure care items for the hospital’s Oncology Loan Pool Equipment. The Oncology Loan Pool provides free short term loan equipment to assist...

Thanks to your Dry July fundraising, we raised $43,705 for The Royal Melbourne Hospital

We are pleased to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $43,705 for the care of our cancer patients. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Your fundraising for Dry July has enabled The Royal Melbourne Hospital to purchase items for:

• Patient Library & Relaxation Lounge –Having a relaxed environment where patients can retreat to and relax can help improve mood and help build more positive experiences related to hospital admissions

• Vital Signs Monitors – Having new wall mounted obs machines would minimize the infection risk in our 4 bedroom trache rooms, less equipment around the patient and help decluttering the room which would improve overall patient care and safety

• Recliner Chairs –...