When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s hard to find the time or energy to think about anything other than treating the cancer. By giving up alcohol for the month of July and raising funds, Dry July participants help us to ease the burden, reduce stress and add a bit of comfort for those affected by cancer.

Taking part in Dry July gives you the chance to also focus on yourself – notice your own drinking habits and the value of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Its not only about giving up alcohol, but a chance to help raise money and awareness for people affected by cancer.

To register or get more information, visit Dry July website.

Important Note:

Dry July is a fundraising campaign aimed at challenging social drinkers to change their habits for a month and make some healthy lifestyle changes. We would encourage people to drink responsibly and stick to the recommended daily guidelines for the rest of the year. We advise heavy drinkers or people dependent on alcohol to speak with their GP before signing up to Dry July.

CMV, or Cytomegalovirus, is a common virus that can infect people of all ages. Once CMV is in a person’s body, it stays there for life. Most healthy adults and children will have no signs or symptoms and no long-term effects from CMV. It can, however, be very dangerous to unborn babies.

CMV is the leading infectious cause of hearing loss, it is more common than spina bifida, down syndrome, adn foetal alcohol syndrome, 1 in 150 babies are born with CMV in different stages of severity.

Visit CMV website for more information.

Red Nose Day is the main fundraiser for Sids and Kids.

Sids and Kids have helped raise awareness of safe sleeping habits for babies and provide support for families who have experienced the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child.

Visit the Red Nose Day website for more information about fundraising and how you can support Sids and kids!

A highlight of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is Red Apple Day (Wednesday, 22nd June 2016), when Australians are encouraged to support the vital work of Bowel Cancer Australia through the purchase of a Bowel Cancer Awareness Ribbon and apple themed fundraising activities.

Visit the red apple day website for more information.

More than 4.8 million Australians experience bladder or bowel control problems. The Continence Foundation of Australia’s vision is to have a community free of the stigma of incontinence.

They provide information on funding, referral and products. They also offer free resources for individuals, carers and professionals to help treat bladder and bowel control problems.

Visit the Continence Foundation website for more information.

Lipoedema, also known as Painful Fat Syndrome is a progressive condition that occurs  mostly in women.

​The disease mainly affects the legs, although arms and other parts of the body can be affected. Legs appear heavy, swollen, shapeless and can be painful to the touch.

​Lipoedema Australia Support Society is aimed at helping to raise awareness of the disease, advocating for and supporting women with Lipoedema.

For more information visit Lipoedema Australia’s Website.

Be extraordinary. Become a blood donor.

It’s easier than you think to achieve something extraordinary.

One in three of all the people you know will need blood in their lifetime–and you can do something about it. In just one hour you can save three lives with a single blood donation.

Ready to be extraordinary? Make an appointment to donate blood today.

Want to know more? See if you could donate or call the Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95.