Dry July has funded the purchase of 3 humidifiers for Christchurch Hospital. These machines provide for earlier alleviation and minimisation of the radiation therapy side-effects, preventing dryness in the nose and mouth and can reduce the need for hospital admissions.

Southern District Health Board are putting funds from a Dry July grant towards 'Operation: Project Comfort'.

This includes a new in-patient ward kitchen, free standing information carousal in out-patients ward to hold survivorship, wellbeing, and other helpful information, treatment chairs for in-patient area, couches in radiation out-patient area and iPads in the oncology/haematology day unit and clinics to help with patient education.

Work has begun on the in-patient kitchen (pictured) with the existing area being made ready for installation. This will include proper shelving and cupboards as well as a dishwasher and bright and lively paint work. Watch this space! We will post updates as they happen.

Dry July funds have provided equipment to assist patient comfort at Nelson Tasman Hospice. The purchases included an Electric Lifter Chair for use in the in-patient unit and two oxygen concentrator units to go out to the community.

The oxygen concentrators are compact units used to deliver oxygen to those who require it. Whereas a tank has a set amount of oxygen that it dispenses, a concentrator filters in air, compresses it, and delivers air continuously. The air supply will never run out.

This allows patients to breathe easier and sleep better as they are not fighting for every breath. While symptoms such as shortness of breath are being effectively managed in patient's home, they can remain in their homes for longer, often right through to end of life, if that is their wish.

The Galbraith Infusion Centre opened to patients on Valentine’s Day.

It is a huge step forward for Counties Manukau Health at Middlemore because previously, all their cancer patients had to travel to Auckland for treatment.

While the service will be initially restricted to Herceptin treatment for those who have finished chemotherapy, it will rapidly expand to also offer clinic space, treatment rooms and chemotherapy infusions.

Dry July has played a major part in this funding $36,000 of the $117,000 cost of the project. 

In the picture are two of the four infusion chairs we have in place, alongside Lazyboy chairs and armchairs, so that there is the ability for patients to choose the device they find most comfortable. The infusion chairs are $6000 each.

We’re delighted to announce the 9 recipients of this year’s Dry July NZ Trust Grant Program.

2,600 Dry Heroes gave up alcohol in support of Dry July in 2016, with money raised being allocated to the Grant Program. Cancer support organisations across the country were then invited to submit applications to benefit from these funds.

Applications were capped at $30,000 but organisations could apply for more than one project. We received applications for 34 projects from 11 organisations, totalling $534,000. With the $260,000 available from this year’s campaign we’ve awarded funding to 22 projects.

Dry July CEO, Brett Macdonald, says: “We are extremely proud to be able to fund a diverse range of cancer support organisations through the Dry July Grant Program. The amazing fundraising achievements of our Dry Heroes in 2016 are now making a big difference to the lives to people affected by cancer right across the country”

The Dry July NZ Trust assists cancer support organisations by providing funds for projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of people affected by cancer. Examples of eligible projects include entertainment systems, accommodation facility refurbishments, transportation to treatment, complementary therapy program costs, and improving public hospital facilities.

The Dry July NZ Trust will again be raising funds for the Grant Program in 2017 with applications opening in September. For further information about the Grant Program in 2017, please contact Dry July on +61 2 9247 6691 or [email protected].

Congratulations to this year’s Grant Program recipients:

• Auckland Regional Blood & Cancer Service

o 3 tablets to be used by patients in a trial to improve psychological and social wellbeing

o Refurbishment of a dedicated family/whanau meeting area

o 4 Virtual Reality Googles (VRG) for distraction therapy - see photograph

o Motorised wheelchair to give patients more independence

o Name badges for Cancer & Blood Staff to improve communication with patients

o Toiletry pamper packs for patients needing to stay unexpectedly

o Waiting room comforts – magazine subscriptions and entertainment for children attending with parents attending treatment

o Waiting room enhancement – artwork, welcome signs in culturally diverse languages, improved seating, coffee and tea service

o Welcome sign and murals for the unit entrance

• Cancer Society Marlborough

o 3 new oncology treatment chairs for Wairau Hospital oncology department

• Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand

o Start Supporters Group – networking and support group for carers of those living with a blood cancer in the wider Auckland region

• Look Good Feel Better NZ

o Roll out of Stage 1 of the new National LGFB Men's Programme

o Support for 20 new Feel Better Classes across NZ

• Middlemore Foundation

o Improving oncology services at Counties-Manukau DHB with e.g. music facilities, soft furnishings, more comfortable waiting areas (partial funding)

• Nelson Tasman Hospice

o An electric lift chair for the patient unit and 2 oxygen concentrator units for patient loan

• Southern Blood and Cancer Service

o Improving patient comfort - inpatient ward kitchen, information stand, treatment chair for inpatient area, couches for out-patient area, 2 iPads, vertical blinds for inpatient rooms

• Waikato Regional Cancer Centre

o 3 myAIRVO humidifiers for head and neck patients undergoing radiation therapy

o Annual magazine subscriptions

o Chemotherapy area refurbishment – entertainment items, water cooler, flowers, new chairs and side tables

o iPad for patient information use

o Sky ceiling for linear accelerator room - see photograph.

• Warkworth Wellsford Hospice

o Furnishings and TV equipment for the multimedia, day programme and education rooms (partial funding)