By Laura Michell
Twenty staff from Northern Health have given up alcohol this month to support cancer services at the hospital.
The team signed up to take part in Dry July in the hope of raising $30,000 to enable Northern Health to buy five vital signs monitors and two patient treatment chairs.
In 2019, the Dry July Foundation helped partially fund a scalp cooling machine and blanket warmer for the day oncology unit at Northern Health’s Craigieburn centre.
Among those choosing not to drink for 31 days is administrator Michelle Fenwick.
Ms Fenwick hoped to raise $1000, but surpassed her target, raising more than $2500 by the middle of the month.
“I decided to participate in Dry July this year because I’ve been affected directly by either family or friends – some of who are still here and some that I have lost,” she said.
“I think it’s important for people to raise funds and sign up for Dry July … it’s such an easy thing to give up alcohol for a month, compared to those who are going through greater struggles such as surgery, visits to oncology and undertaking extensive treatment protocols. Not to mention those who do all the hard work and find out that the first treatment or second treatment didn’t work and then commence a third treatment protocol for another month or year.
“So, 31 days is a small sacrifice from my part for what they actually have to endure.”
To support the Northern Health fundraising team, visit: www.dryjuly.com/teams/team-northern-health
