Go dry this July for cancer wellness

ANYONE requiring motivation to give up the drink this Dry July need only meet Ballarat cancer survivor Chris Daly.

With a philosophical approach, 70-year-old Daly is Grampians Health Ballarat Wellness Centre’s fundraising ambassador for this year’s Dry July event that sees people seek sponsorship to go alcohol-free for 30 days.

An experienced horseman and trail riding tour guide, Daly was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma six years ago.

By the time the cancer was identified, it had spread through his lymphatic system and was wrapped around major organs.

Daly, who previously worked at the BTV-6 television station in Ballarat North as an on-air coordinator, immediately began treatment through an experimental clinical trial.

“They said because of my age and my fitness, they could offer me a trial,” he said.

“I said yeah, no worries, even if it doesn’t help me, it will be able to help someone else.”

Since then he has been declared cancer-free, then experienced multiple recurrences, had scans, biopsies, chemotherapy treatments and further clinical trials, but has now been cancer-free for seven months.

Through it all, the Cancer Wellness Centre became a source of support for him as he attended tai chi sessions, got massage and acupuncture treatments, and participated in a range of other programs it provides.

Understanding how financially challenging a cancer diagnosis can be for many families, Daly values that the centre’s services are provided free of charge.

“It has cost me absolutely nothing. That still blows me away,” he said.

“The Wellness Centre plays a huge role in helping people get through cancer. It’s not just the treatments. It’s the people, the support and knowing you’re not doing it alone.”

But the centre receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations to keep delivering its services.

Since it opened in 2011, Dry July donations have helped fund a range of support services and essential equipment for the Chemotherapy Day Unit, including an ultrasound-guided cannulation device and replacement treatment chairs.

Daly is taking part in Dry July, and has chosen to share his story to raise awareness of the centre and encourage more people to take part or make a donation.

Visit dryjuly.com/BRICC