Dry July NZ Trust

Four years ago, Doug, a retired engineer and diabetic, was getting his regular three-monthly blood tests, where they noticed some irregular results. He was quickly referred to a specialist where they performed a biopsy and discovered that Doug had prostate cancer.

After having gone through various treatments, Doug noticed several side effects, including hot flushes and a reduction in muscle strength, where he was struggling to bend down.

This is when Doug got involved with Prost-FIT classes, a weekly fitness class run by specially trained exercise professionals and designed specifically for men living with prostate cancer. Doug is now attending two classes a week, one based on boxing and the other Tai Chi.

“I have noticed a big difference since I started doing the Prost-FIT classes. I feel stronger and more flexible which means I can now bend all the way down again”.

“Not only can it improve physical fitness, but the classes also have a major positive effect on mental wellbeing too”.

Read Doug's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.co.nz/2021/dougs-story

When Helen was diagnosed with breast cancer, she soon after endured chemotherapy, breast surgery and radiation. After this, despite receiving the official ‘all clear,’ Helen was left feeling very far from it.

After feeling as though she was spiraling, the fatigue became too much and Helen had to quit her job.

This is when Helen reached out to Pinc & Steel and soon got involved in the PaddleOn and Next Steps program, where she took up stand-up paddle boarding and pilates, shortly transforming her life and helping her back on the road to recovery.

"It changed my life, I was in a really bad place. It picked me up, gave me focus and made me feel back in control again and just put me in a really good place and surrounded me with really good people." 

43 year old, Wayne loved going to sports practice, kicking a ball with his boys and right up until his diagnosis, he was heavily involved in surf life saving.

Concerned after finding blood in his stool, Wayne Fa’asega headed off to the doctors. His GP wasn’t dismissive about the possibility of bowel cancer but felt that the then 43-year-old was too young. Nonetheless, he put Wayne into the public health system.

After being diagnosed with Bowel Cancer, Wayne was encouraged to join Bowel Cancer New Zealand's online support group, “Everyone is there to support each other,” he enthuses. “It’s directly aimed at people with bowel cancer and all the various stages, be it stage one, two, three, stage four if it's spread around.”

After Wayne's procedure, Bowel Cancer New Zealand was able to offer Wayne free physio sessions through Pinc and Steel, which help people affected by cancer through physical rehabilitation.

Read Wayne's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.co.nz/2021/waynes-story

This year, the funds you raise for Dry July will help people face cancer with confidence. Look Good Feel Better's community workshops have helped people like Stephanie feel like herself again.

After Stephanie's breast cancer diagnosis, the first thing she thought of was her daughters.

“You’ve got to be open with kids, they're smarter than you think. You can't guarantee anything in life, you can only prepare them well,” Stephanie says.

“I remember telling Hannah, ‘ Mummy's breast isn't well’ and, and she said ‘Awh, Mummy have you got breast cancer?’ I was shocked that she actually knew the word. She was asking if I am going to die.”

Stephanie explained that she would need to have medicine to make it better. But that would mean she would sometimes feel yucky, and she was going to lose her hair.

When it came time to shaving her hair off, her older daughter said "Mummy, when you up to school, can you please wear your wig?"

That is why she signed up for a free Look Good Feel Better class, to help her look more herself at the school gate. The sessions are for anyone with any cancer at any stage of treatment and include tips and tricks to disguise the visible side effects of cancer, while helping restore a person’s confidence.

“Once I walked through those doors and saw the smiling faces, I really started to feel better. You feel so cared for, all the staff and the volunteers made it a really pleasant, lovely, loving experience."

Read Stephanie's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.co.nz/2021/stephanies-story

An experienced Registered Nurse, Victoria sees her role as an amazing opportunity to help patients and whānau through nursing support, education and advice, and increase awareness of bowel cancer.

Her role mainly includes supporting those diagnosed with bowel cancer or their close family members through the charity’s confidential nurse support service. Victoria also administrates the Bowel Cancer NZ’s patient support group, a closed Facebook group for those who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer and their whānau.

“Through my previous work in palliative care, I had noticed Bowel Cancer NZ’s outreach within the community through education and awareness. People are talking more about bowel cancer now – thanks to the screening programme and awareness of the support available. The work Bowel Cancer NZ is doing is already making a difference, and that’s only going to grow.”

Victoria believes the screening programme has really helped raise awareness of bowel cancer and helped people overcome the stigma if they do get it. “Having it highlighted regularly in the media has helped – it’s been good for New Zealanders and led to an even greater need for our services at Bowel Cancer NZ.”

“I’m meeting younger and younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer all the time – those in their 20s or 30s. It’s really tragic. Part of our remit is to help GPs become more aware that young people can get bowel cancer too – it’s not just an older adults disease.”

“My advice is that if you’re worried about your symptoms, even if they only seem minor, go and see your GP,” she says. “Some people may find it embarrassing to talk about their bowel issues, but it’s your health on the line – and your sanity. Your GP can run some very basic tests and follow these up as and where needed.”

Victoria is a ‘people person’ who loves helping others. Warm, approachable and easy-to-talk-to, she says she’s only ever had ‘the best’ patients and families. “If you’ve been diagnosed with bowel cancer, or someone you love has, don’t be afraid to reach out for support,” she says. “I can point you in the right direction, help you figure out all that confusing bowel cancer terminology and the effects of different treatments – and even help you work out what to say to your family. Just email me: I’m here to help.”

Victoria has slotted in well within the Bowel Cancer NZ team and is busy answering calls through their new 0800 BCNZ NURSE (226 968) number as well as via the live Chatbot on their website.

None of the support Victoria offers cancer patients would be possible without Dry July NZ's generous support.