Team Alfred is going dry this July! 

Dry July is about so much more than giving up alcohol for the month, it’s about helping to provide cancer support and care that makes life better for cancer patients, their families and carers. Join us and help The Alfred continue to support people affected by cancer. 

Read the stories of three people who have seen first-hand the great impact that funding from Dry July can help at The Alfred.

Please take the chance either sign up for Dry July for the Alfred, or to view, support or join the Alfred team, click here.

Daniela, a Myeloma Nurse Practitioner 

Daniela has been a nurse at The Alfred for the past 20 years and has provided care for many cancer patients during that time. She is passionate about caring for myeloma patients in all aspects of their treatment phase, ensuring their needs are met for a positive patient and carer experience. One aspect of Daniela’s role is coordinating stem cell transplants for her myeloma patients.  

She has seen first-hand the huge difference that Dry July funding makes to her myeloma patients. Many of these patients are going through some of the toughest times in their lives and living rurally or regionally, which means they have additional financial, emotional and transport pressures. The accommodation provided using the Dry July funding means that select regional and rural patients have the first phase of their transplant as an outpatient in The Alfred's outpatient centre. The accommodation is their home away from home for a short period, taking a five-minute walk to the hospital from the accommodation for appointments until their admission day.  

“The support from Dry July means we can ensure that myeloma patients that need accommodation are not disadvantaged by their location of residence which reduces additional worries at such a challenging time,” Daniela said. 

Join us this Dry July and help The Alfred continue to support people affected by cancer. Programs funded through Dry July include the patient accommodation, a music therapy program for patients and loved ones affected by cancer, helping them explore and express difficult emotions. With your support we hope to be able to continue to fund these amazing programs again this year.  

Ian is still running 

Ian, 69, has always been very active with a love for running and spending time with his beautiful family on the Mornington Peninsula. Until one day he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell.  

He started his treatment as soon as possible and tried to keep active to help with the treatment. His wife, family including four protective daughters and their families, kept him positive throughout his treatment.  

Ian was able to use the patient accommodation program. This initiative provides increased access to care for our regional and rural patients, giving them a home away from home, just one of the programs that has received vital funding through Dry July. The accommodation is close enough to the hospital that patients like Ian and his family have full support and care as they need but also the flexibility to recover outside the hospital ward.   

“The accommodation was such a blessing to me and my family. The ward is amazing and the staff are wonderful but the accommodation gives you independence. It was so comforting to have family around and be able to have a walk to the local market,” Ian said.  

Ian and his family wanted to thank the staff and The Alfred for the care he received. Just recently Ian and his family received the wonderful news that he is in remission and he can now get back to enjoying retirement.  

This year the hope is to help more patients like Ian. To give other cancer patients the chance to recover from treatment in a home away from home and to make life just that bit easier for those going through some of the toughest times in their lives. 

Music therapy program hits the right note for Julie 

It seemed to be just a normal Friday for Julie, when she suddenly noticed a rash appear on her legs. Julie went to her GP to get blood tests taken – the following Tuesday she was admitted to The Alfred.  

Julie and her family then received the unexpected news that she had adult acute myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells. 

Sitting in the ward worried about the diagnosis and upcoming treatment, Julie took a breath and heard music very faintly in the background. This was Lucy’s harp playing, made possible thanks to the music therapy program funded through Dry July. 

“Immediately I felt more relaxed about the treatment and journey ahead.  The music was just beautiful; it was so very soothing,” Julie said.  

Music is something that Julie has treasured, with her father playing the violin and piano when she was younger. It brought great comfort when she needed it most.  

Julie was admitted again for chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. This resulted in a major seizure which saw her rushed to ICU and put into an induced coma. This was some of the toughest times for the family. Julie said the music therapy even gave her children hope. 

Spending more than 12 weeks in hospital across the two admissions, Julie said that Lucy and her music “really jollied me along”. 

Music therapy improves the patient experience, reduces anxiety and offers experiences of joy during such a stressful time. Julie couldn’t stress enough the importance of music therapy.  

“It is a wonderful program for staff, patients and families, the music calmed the whole ward”, she said. 

Julie is now in remission with transfusions twice a week. Lucy is continuing to provide music therapy to support cancer patients in their time of need.  

Your participation this Dry July will help more patients like Julie benefit from music therapy.

Please take the chance either sign up for Dry July for the Alfred, or to view, support or join the Alfred team.