Dry July NZ Trust

Graham is a dad, an accountant, with a new love and recognition of the benefits of yoga (after years of trying hard to enjoy it!).

Graham found a lump in his groin. It was initially investigated, and found to be nothing of concern. However, when the lump didn’t go away further, more invasive investigations confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. Graham had follicular lymphoma, a cancer that begins in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. Follicular lymphoma is a type of slow growing (low-grade) non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“At the time of diagnosis, my doctor told me this was a readily treatable form of cancer. It took me a few months to realise that treatable doesn’t mean curable”. Then When Graham asked when the treatment including surgery was to start, he was shocked to be told “tomorrow”. At this point, Graham reflects; “you lose control, you don’t know what’s happening, your brain is going a million miles an hour and all this time it’s like you’ve jumped on a roller coaster and you’re completely out of control”. Suddenly Graham was undergoing chemotherapy, taking immunosuppressant drugs, drugs for nausea, antibiotics and antiviral medications. “There are so many things that are completely out of control, but things like choosing to participate in cancer rehabilitation, you can control. The exercise was something I had control over, it was something I could do for myself”.

Graham likes to share with others experiencing cancer the advice that was offered to him by a personal friend and oncologist; “You are your primary caregiver. You take responsibility for your health. The surgeons, they are experts, but they don’t know everything – you ask them, you challenge them, you find out”. This advice paid off more than once.

Graham was referred to a Pinc & Steel physiotherapist. He says, “she was wonderful. It was someone who wasn’t family, wasn’t a friend, I could just go and talk through my experience. Megan was someone I could ask questions of; she would research things or contribute to my recovery through her experience of other people with cancer”.

With a sporting background, motivation to stay active wasn’t an issue for Graham but fatigue and chemo brain were a reality and were the main challenges that cancer rehabilitation supported him to improve. He felt that cancer rehab kept him accountable for achieving his goals, aligning with the advise he had been given about taking responsibility for his health.

Since completing his cancer rehabilitation program, Graham now runs for an hour 3 times per week, he has completed the 30km Moonlight Marathon at Ben Lomond station near Queenstown and has written a book. He continues to be accountable for his wellbeing and is looking forward to the next chapter of his active life post cancer.

Murray Eyles and the Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group

A Lot to Like with a Marlborough Man

Murray Eyles is a dedicated volunteer who has led the Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group since September 2020.

Murray is typical of men who get diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of having regular testing. Cancer was a word he says he is accustomed to, having seen his mother battle cancer, which is why since the age of 40 Murray has routinely had prostate checks with his GP.

October 2014 will be a time Murray will never forget. It was when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Now at the age of 70 he stands by his decision to have regular checks, something he is very vocal about with other men and what drives Murray to volunteer to run the Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Murray is as passionate about the Marlborough region as he is in creating awareness about prostate cancer and the need for testing and early diagnosis.

Early in February 2021 Murray found out about a new exercise programme called Prost-FIT, a programme designed specifically for men with Prostate Cancer from the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

 Murray started liaising with their local sports Stadium 2000 and the Cancer Society Blenheim. The health manager for the stadium Ricky White was more than happy to allocate a team member to “learn the ropes” of these specific Prost-FIT exercises. Our local Cancer Society got right behind this new exercise group for men and it resulted in the first session 11th August 2021 with 10 attending.

Since then, an average of 8-10 men attend each session, as being in Blenheim some of our group must travel out of the region for treatment.

Murray says, “my own personal perspective is that its great spending time getting some exercise with men that all have a same diagnosis. We now have an informal lunch after our weekly one-hour long session which has proven invaluable where we all share our own journey which has also helped others”.

He expands, “not only are the men benefiting from the exercise they get at Prost-FIT, they are also benefiting from the camaraderie of the group”.

November 2021, we held a breakfast for our local ProstFit men and encouraged their wives to come along and the general comment from the ladies was “I never thought that I would see my husband doing any form of exercise” so keep it going.

The Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group and the new Prost-FIT classes in Blenheim receive support from a grant via the Dry July (NZ) Trust. The Prostate Cancer Foundation has been a beneficiary of the Dry July campaign for the past two years and thanks the Dry July (NZ) Trust for their support. PCFNZ is looking forward to another successful Dry July fundraising campaign in 2022 to secure funding to continue to increase access to Prost-FIT for men with prostate cancer around Aotearoa New Zealand.

For more information about the Prostate Cancer Support Groups or how to attend Prost-FIT classes please visit www.prostate.org.nz or call the information line on 0800 477 678.

You should feel so proud knowing that the funds raised this Dry July have enabled Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand to continue running their incredible Prost-FIT classes. 

Run by specially trained exercise professionals across 12 regions in New Zealand, Prost-FIT is designed for men living with prostate cancer, at any stage of their diagnosis, and helps to improve the physical wellbeing of people like Doug (pictured).

The benefits that exercise can bring to people affected by prostate cancer are endless; from increasing strength and reducing fatigue, to supporting mental health through mindful meditation, as well as much-needed time out connecting with people who have had similar experiences. 

Thank you!

Thanks to our Dry July community and their incredible fundraising efforts this year, Bowel Cancer New Zealand can continue to fund their wonderful bowel cancer specialist nurse, Victoria. 💚

Dry July funded specialist nurse, Victoria, facilitates patient support groups, and provides telehealth and online support for people affected by bowel cancer. Dry July funds have also enabled Bowel Cancer NZ to offer free physio rehabilitation and counselling sessions for patients.

For more information on the wonderful online and telehealth services that BCNZ offer thanks to your fundraising, head to https://bowelcancernz.org.nz/support/finding-support/

You should feel beyond proud knowing that your Dry July fundraising this year will amplify PINC & STEEL's reach and enable them to guarantee more support to anyone suffering the side effects of cancer treatment.

Through better access to PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapists, more New Zealanders can restore, rebuild and reclaim a better quality of life. 

Their community programmes like Paddle On and Next Steps are specifically designed to support people in their recovery from a cancer diagnosis, aiming to improve physical, social and emotional health. 

A massive thank you to all of our wonderful Dry Julyers - without you, these community programmes wouldn't be possible.