A service that offers more than treatment

But it is programs like Dry July which can help with some of the little - and not so little - challenges that confront many of our patients, some who come to us from regional and remote parts of Victoria.

Accommodation for some patients who travel long distances to The Alfred for treatment is one of the programs supported by Dry July to help improve our service.

One of the many patients to benefit from this program is Jim Cochrane, who hails from Marlo, a coastal town some six hours east of Melbourne.

Jim has a long history with The Alfred, having had a brain operation and a pacemaker installed, while his wife also had a heart valve replacement at the hospital.

Jim, 76, had enjoyed a long career out on the water, but it came at a cost, resulting in further health problems.

"I was a deckhand on a fishing boat for about 45 years, exposed to a lot of sun," he said. "Before that I was a carpenter and joiner apprentice, where again I was exposed to a lot of sun."

He had melanomas removed from his back about 18 years ago and he has been battling skin cancer ever since.

Due to the monitoring his pacemaker requires, Jim's radiation therapy must be performed at The Alfred.

So not only is getting into town an ordeal, but also finding somewhere to stay for the six weeks that he needs to attend The Alfred. Without this support he simply would not have managed to receive his treatment. 

"The Alfred has found me accommodation (through funding from Dry July) and the Red Cross takes me backwards and forwards every day. I couldn’t fault The Alfred, they’ve been fantastic for me," Jim said. 

"It’s just a fantastic service, it’s great."

It is programs like this that funds raised from this year’s Dry July will go towards, so that many other patients can be supported.  

Dry July encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise money for people affected by cancer. Join us this Dry July and help The Alfred continue to support people like Jim who are affected by cancer.

Other projects that are hoped to benefit from Dry July funds include scalp cooling equipment, which helps reduce hair loss during chemotherapy (a common side effect of treatment), patient wellbeing initiatives and a music therapy program. 

Click here to join Dry July for The Alfred.

Each year, The Alfred treats thousands of people living with cancer. Alfred Health’s world-class cancer service includes five radiotherapy bunkers – three at The Alfred and two at Latrobe Regional Hospital – as well as 40 inpatient beds, 18 day-admission chairs and 10 cancer clinical trial chairs, among other things. 

Cancer care for Australians is set to be transformed as work continues on the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at The Alfred, which is set to be completed in early 2024.