Katherine (Kat) was one of the many Kiwis considered ‘too young’ to have bowel cancer – she was diagnosed at age 34. “My only initial symptom was fatigue. I had two kids at the time, so I saw my GP, who said my iron levels were really low, and prescribed iron tablets.”

“I’ve had a lot of support along the way, particularly from Bowel Cancer NZ," she says.

“Mary (at Bowel Cancer NZ) provided me with one-to-one support and explained all that they do to help people get through this horrible diagnosis. It’s quite hard at first as people didn’t want to talk about it, but I did want to talk about it.”

Your Dry July fundraising means we can continue supporting Bowel Cancer NZ to help people like Kat.

You can read Kat’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/kats-story

Melwyn Le Comte was prepared to lose her hair, however when she shed her eyebrows, it brought her to tears.

A diagnosis is tough for anyone, but just days after surgery for breast cancer, her mother-in-law passed away from pancreatic cancer, and the 46-year-old wasn’t able to attend her funeral. 

She was exhausted, bereft of femininity and mourning the loss of her husband’s mother. That is why she doesn’t underestimate the restorative power of attending a Look Good Feel Better class. 

Free to anyone having any form of cancer treatment, the classes include not only a pamper session and make-up tips and tricks to combat the side effects of treatment, they also provide a welcoming environment for people to be with others who truly understand what it’s like to be going through cancer. 

Your Dry July fundraising means we can continue supporting Look Good Feel Better New Zealand to help people like Melwyn. 

You can read Melwyn’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/melwyns-story

Teka, now 72, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2004 and is still going strong after several rounds of treatment.

Support groups are just one of the many ways the Prostate Cancer Foundation can help men and their partners. Another is a fitness programme the Foundation has been trialing in Christchurch for men with prostate cancer called Prost-FIT. Teka is part of this group which meets weekly and has from 10 to 14 people regularly taking part.

Jan says that “Teka has really enjoyed being part of this programme, it made a big change to his motivation and he really likes it because it is a fun way to spend time with others in his situation. Teka also likes the inclusiveness for Māori participants like him with poi and haka exercises”.

Your Dry July fundraising means we can continue supporting Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand to help people like Teka and Jan.

You can read Teka and Jan’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/teka-and-jans-story

24 year old Geneva Wilson is signing up for Dry July this year. She would have done it last year, but for a shock diagnosis of breast cancer that saw July absorbed in medical appointments, fast-tracked surgery, fertility treatment and chemotherapy.

 “I found a lump and was sent for an urgent scan. I had a double mastectomy two weeks after I was diagnosed and went through fertility treatment to harvest eggs before surgery for expandable implants. Then I started chemo – because I had the mastectomy, I didn’t have to have radiation.”

There have been many good days during her treatment, including her partner giving her a puppy for companionship and distraction, and a highlight is the Look Good Feel Better class.

“I recommend it for everyone. It really is good to engage with other people who know what you are going through.

“I loved feeling pampered and getting my make-up done – having a day for me when everything else was about cancer. It’s just an escape from reality, a little retreat for the day.”

Your Dry July fundraising means we can continue supporting Look Good Feel Better New Zealand to help people like Geneva.

You can read Geneva’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/genevas-story

When Stefan was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer at 46, he was in complete shock. “It took me by surprise: I’d been really healthy up until then. I didn’t even get colds, then I got cancer.”

“I immediately got on the Internet and came across the Bowel Cancer NZ website, which had a lot of information. It really helped me understand that this was a very common disease and that I wasn’t alone – a lot of people in New Zealand get this, and there was help and support out there. It helped me understand my symptoms better and what I was going through.”

“Bowel Cancer NZ is a network of people who really care about you and about New Zealand communities – they’ve been like a family and support network in one,” says Stefan.

Your Dry July fundraising means we can continue supporting Bowel Cancer NZ to help people like Stefan.

You can read Stefan’s full story here: www.dryjuly.co.nz/2020/stefans-story