Dry July team raises over $6000 for Western Health Cancer Services

September 2020

Despite the daily challenges of COVID-19, a motivated team of staff and community members joined forces this July to raise over $6000 for cancer services at Western Health.

This was the first team Western Health had officially entered a team in the Dry July Challenge, an annual fundraiser organised by the Dry July Foundation. Participants are encouraged to give up alcohol during the month of July while fundraising for a cancer service they feel personally connected to.

"I joined the Western Health Dry July team this year in support of my best friend who is underdoing breast cancer treatment," said Emma Petrie. "My mother passed away from breast cancer and Dry July gave me the opportunity to examine my relationship with alcohol and reduce my own cancer risk."

Dr Karen Wynter, a research fellow at Western Health, also challenge herself to Dry July.

"During the first lockdown I had picked up a habit of having a wine or two every night. Life was stressful – I was working 14 hours a day, and my kids were attending school remotely. I felt I 'deserved' a drink every night. But I also knew that this was not a healthy approach. Dry July gave me the opportunity to show myself, and my family and friends, that I could do without the alcohol."

Emma and Karen, together with the rest of the Western Health Dry July team, raised over $6000 in support of cancer services at Western Health. Congratulations to Emma who was our top fundraiser, raising $1,441.82, followed closely by Karen who raised $1,373.20.

Donations raised through Dry July will support:

• breast cancer patients through Western Health's BreastWest program which is 100% funded by donations. Funds provide for BreastCare packs and vouchers to help cover transport costs and essential items such wig and breast prostheses and mastectomy bras;
• clinicians at Western Health undertaking research and clinical trials to discover new treatment methods for patients with a wide range of cancers including breast, colorectal, gynaecological and lung cancer;
• a nurse at Western Health to undertake further study through the Breast Cancer Nurse Scholarship.