Helping people affected by cancer
Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our Dry July participants every year, the Dry July Foundation is able to help local and national cancer support organisations across Australia deliver practical, tangible support services for people affected by cancer.
Everything we fund is to benefit cancer patients, their families and carers, aiming to make a difficult time, a little easier for people affected by cancer.
A shoulder to lean on. A comforting voice. A place to relax. This is why we Dry July.
Where the money goes
Information and Support Services
Specialist Cancer Nurses
Wellness Programs
Cancer Centre Improvements
Accommodation and Transport
Comfort and Support Items
Organisations we support
The Dry July Foundation is proud to support numerous cancer organisations across Australia.
Some of the organisations who benefit from our fundraising include:
To see the full list of cancer support organisations we fund, please click here.
Joanne's Story
“The thing about cancer is that it just keeps on giving. You’re never really free of it. I know I’ve done the hard stuff. I’ve ticked off surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, more surgeries, losing my hair, feeling unwell and the mental exhaustion. I’m in remission now and believe me, I’m so grateful to be here... but there’s always going to be more. You’re always on alert, there’s always surveillance and check-ups... and for me there’s also lymphedema. It just means I can’t ever completely move on.”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, Joanne endured multiple surgeries, including double mastectomy and removal oflymph nodes, as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
While pleasingly she’s now in remission, Joanne is one of an...
Check out how your Dry July funds have made a difference for Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre
The nursing staff at our rural service in Milton on the South Coast, NSW reached out expressing a need to purchase a vein finder.
Milton does not have a vascular access Clinical Nurse Consultant and when patients with difficult veins present sometimes multiple attempts are required to locate a vein. It has been witnessed that this can cause anxiety among some patients and also treatment delays.
Providing this piece of equipment which accurately detects veins in patients will completely eliminate the need for multiple attempts.
Thank you Dry July for providing this equipment to our rural service! In doing so we have reports of a more efficient service and reduced anxiety amongst both staff and patients.
Your Dry July funds have provided Patient Achievement Packs for Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre
Completing treatment is a significant personal achievement in the lives of our patients. We wanted to acknowledge this milestone by gifting our patients an achievement pack in the hope it provides them with feelings of accomplishment and empowerment.
Items selected for the packs were carefully curated, which include self care products such as moisturiser, lip balm, sunscreen, hairbrush, plus a diary, throat drops, mindfulness activity book and more.
Two different packs were created and products are bundled together in beautiful handmade tote bags kindly donated by Kiama Boomerang Bags.
The reaction from patients on receiving the packs has been extraordinary. It comes as a surprise to them and they have found it so thoughtful!
Thank you...
An update on Martine's Story
When Martine was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, she felt like her world was falling apart.
Today Martine has completed active treatment which consisted of a mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, preserving her eggs, chemotherapy, radiation and a medically 5-year induced menopause. Her strength and courage has been an inspiration to all of us. Martine shared with us what she has been up to and what life has been like since her last active treatment session of radiation in May 2022.
“I am fantastic, I am back to full training in the gym, ocean swimming and yoga. I am currently training for my second half marathon which is happening in NYC in March. I completed my first ever half marathon in September last year in Sydney. I also had...
Jim's Story
The Alfred treats thousands of people living with cancer each year through our world-class service.
This includes five radiotherapy bunkers (three at The Alfred and two at Latrobe Regional Hospital), 40 inpatient beds, 18 day-admission chairs and 10 cancer clinical trial chairs, among other things.
But it is programs like Dry July which can help with some of the little – and not so little – challenges that confront many of our patients, some who come to The Alfred from regional and remote parts of Victoria. Accommodation and transport for some patients who travel long distances to The Alfred for treatment is just one of the programs supported by Dry July to help improve our service.
One of the many patients to benefit from this program is...
Brett's Story
I had noticed a need to get up more frequently to urinate during the night. Having just turned 51 I was reasonably sure this was purely age related but mentioned it to my GP.
I had no other symptoms.
I was referred to a urologist who sent me for an MRI and biopsy, after which I was diagnosed with a rare variant of prostate cancer known as poorly differentiated neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma. I was referred to an oncologist who told me the cancer was rare and aggressive. PET scans showed the cancer had spread to my iliac bone, abdominal lymph nodes and lymph nodes in my chest and neck. I was told without treatment they would expect I would die of the disease within 2 to 4 months. I was told my worst case scenario was that the cancer...
Tania's Story
When Tania became a cancer support person for her friend Jayne it was an experience she described as triggering, having lost her husband to cancer almost a decade earlier.
Eventually, though, it became an experience that put Tania on the path to healing.
As Jayne’s companion, Tania discovered the CoastCanCare wellness program which offers free wellbeing and recovery activities for Central Coast cancer patients, their families and carers.
“The care workshops are amazing. Together Jayne and I took part in meditation and tai chi. I was attending as a carer but I found it very therapeutic for me as well,” said Tania.
Last year when Tania was diagnosed with a very rare form of neck cancer, she knew exactly where to turn for support.
“I found...
Sharon's Story
Sharon is a Gold Coast resident who is travelling down to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre to take part in a clinical trial to best support her treatment.
Sharon and her husband Ken have been staying in the St Mary’s Apartments. The apartments are a free patient accommodation located across the road from University Hospital Geelong.
With the funds raised through Dry July, the team have been able to purchase new mattresses for all the beds of the rooms to ensure the beds are comfortable for patients and their families during their stay.
Providing a comfortable – “home-like” environment is really important for the apartments as patients will often spend quite some time here.
Sharon and Ken recently spent 11 nights in the apartment as part of...
Dry July funds are providing accommodation for patients of the Andrew Love Cancer Centre
The Dry July Foundation funded the refurbishment of both the inside and outside of the accommodation at Baa-Lee Lodges.
These units are accommodation for patients undergoing regular treatments at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
With funds raised through the recent Dry July campaigns, the team have been able to ensure the space is kept comfortable and made to feel like a home away from home.
Recent additions to the units include side consoles. The console provides storage for patients and their families so they can unpack and feel comfortable and not like they are living from their suitcase during their stay.