Dry July gives staff 140,000 reasons to smile!

07 Aug 2020

The staff at Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre know exactly what difference the Andrew Love Cancer Centre makes to people in our region.

In 2020, Dry July participants and the Dry July Foundation have raised over $140,000 in funding for Barwon Health’s Andrew Love Cancer Centre (ALCC), supporting patient comfort and care.

This includes programs within the Wellness Lounge at the ALCC, along with a much-needed refurbishment of Barwon Health’s Ba-Lee Lodges, which provide accommodation for cancer patients travelling to Geelong for treatment.

2020 Dry July Ambassador and ALCC staff member Katie Every has seen the difference Dry July makes to patients as  a clinical nurse specialist in the chemotherapy day ward.

Katie said she had once again signed up to take part in the fundraising event that supports her patients every day.

“I have been involved with Dry July for eight years,” she said.

“Every day, I see the fantastic benefits that Dry July provides to improve patients’ experiences in the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.

“Dry July has supported so many programs in the Wellness Lounge, such as the massage therapy, yoga and art program, and the patient entertainment systems. These programs couldn’t run without the funding from Dry July and they are so important to help support our patients.”

Katie’s dedication to the patients that she cares for is the driving force behind the month she takes off alcohol each year.

“I love catching up my friends over an occasional wine but just not in July. My family and friends are great supporters of my dry July campaign and they know it’s coming,” she said.

“The best part of my job is getting to know patients and their families and share stories. You really become part of their lives and they do in ours. We support patients from diagnosis to treatment and help them work through side effects and uncertainties caused by their cancer.

“We are very lucky to have a beautifully new renovated day ward supported by Dry July and the Barwon Health Foundation that provides a calm environment, and we strive to make a very difficult time that little bit easier. Our patients are amazing the way they just get on with their treatment, while juggling work, family life and life’s general busyness.”

Thank you to everyone who has participated in Dry July 2020 which will make a big difference to the patients at Andrew Love Cancer Centre.