Brightening up Illawarra Cancer Cancer Centre
After renovations to the oncology day care unit and other areas at Illawarra Cancer Care Centre at Wollongong Hospital, new spaces felt a little too stark and clinical. Funds from Dry July have been used to install wall murals and sky ceilings in these areas to help brighten up the centre.Dry July Foundation announces the recipients of the 2015 Grant Program
We’re delighted to announce the 26 recipients of the inaugural Dry July Foundation Grant Program. Funds have been distributed for 62 eligible projects across cancer support organisations nationwide, including the Look Good Feel Better program, state Cancer Councils and regional hospitals such as Geraldton Hospital and North West Regional Hospital, Burnie.
As an additional option to nominating a beneficiary at sign-up, in 2015, DJs were invited for the first time to fundraise for the Dry July Foundation, with money raised being allocated to the Grant Program. Nearly 5,000 DJs chose this option raising over $675,000. Cancer support organisations in their state were then invited to submit applications for eligible projects to benefit from...
Oncology Care Packs
Following chemotherapy or radiation therapy, some patients suffer from dry, red, irritated and sensitive skin which can be uncomfortable and painful. St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne has sought out and purchases a care pack to help patients hydrate, protect, soothe and care for their skin during and after treatment. Another side effect of treatment can be cold hands and feet. To combat this, we’ve included some cosy MooGoo socks to help keep warm.
Mindfulness Colouring Books
Mindfulness colouring books are they are therapeutic and have been proven to relieve anxiety. St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne has opted to use funding from Dry July to purchase booksfor cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Support for Patients at The Canberra Hospital
The Canberra Hospital has announced it will be using Dry July 2015 funds towards the harp therapy program and towards a new resource room.
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.
Oncology Massage Program at FCIC
The oncology massage program at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer (FCIC) will run 2 hours a day x 5 days per week to offer free 20 minute hand and foot relaxation massages to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments. The program will be fully funded by Dry July, until at least early 2017.
Massage has been shown to help relieve anxiety and depression, and enable a patient to relax.
Flinders is one of the busiest public hospitals in South Australia, serving the southern community of Adelaide and the southern region to Mount Gambier as well as patients from Northern Territory. The FCIC Infusion Suite has 12 chairs and two bed bays delivering treatment throughout the week. The unit sees approximately 300 patients, delivering more...
Sky ceilings at Royal North Shore Hospital
Royal North Shore Hospital has been able to install sky ceilings in the radiotherapy bunkers at the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre using money from Dry July.
Installing Sky Ceilings makes an intimidating medical equipment a little more welcoming. It creates a positive, patient friendly environment. The patient experience is enhanced through these surroundings; it also helps the caregiver, nurse and doctor because patients are more cooperative. Art on dropped ceiling tiles and wall murals in healthcare settings has been proven to lower blood pressure, speed up recovery times and reduce overall stress and anxiety in patients.
Courtyard Opens at The Alfred
The Alfred is astounded at the support the community has shown us throughout Dry July. We would like to thank you for helping us to improve the facilities in which our patients are treated. Your support assists people facing a very difficult journey and for that we are enormously grateful.
Since becoming a beneficiary of Dry July in 2014, The Alfred has already seen some amazing and positive changes. We recently opened a new garden courtyard outside the patient waiting area in the William Buckland Radiotherapy Centre. This tranquil and beautiful space will have a constructive and beneficial influence on those undergoing cancer treatments. With the funds received this year we will continue to improve those areas where our patients spend...
New Curtains for Patient Rooms at PA Hospital
Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane asked patients what the hospital could do to make their treatment more comfortable, and one of the common responses was to put up some art in common and patient areas to make it feel less clinical.
Funds from Dry July have gone towards wall art and curtains in walkways and wait areas of the day treatment area.They are causing a lot of excitement throughout the hospital and many other departments want to follow suit!