Southern Blood and Cancer Service will use funds raised by Dry July to create a more family friendly space in the whanau/family room for palliative patients, or for when there are large families caring for their loved ones. Furnishings to be purchased include couches (pull out for family to stay over), trestle table for family meals/celebrations, TV, installation of TV, painting of room, artworks, etc.

Funds will also go towards updating the patient waiting room in Oncology Haematology, by purchasing, for example, new comfortable seating, water filter, TV and electronic system to play either music or DVDs or treatment related information, new painting on the walls, artworks, or privacy screens.

UPDATE: The whanau / family room refurbishments have completed (see 'after' photos below) and hospital staff celebrated the opening of the new room for palliative care patients on 17 October 2016 to much fanfare.