A Dry July helps cancer patients at Mater
Paul Louder was thirty-seven years old and about to celebrate his ten year wedding anniversary when a routine blood test showed his liver count was raised—changing his life dramatically.
Further tests at Mater Adult Hospital revealed the father of two young boys had bowel cancer and secondary liver cancer with eight very aggressive tumour growths.
Unfortunately Paul was not able to have a liver transplant as his tumours were too large and on both sides of his liver—close to major arteries. He started chemotherapy treatment straight away—coming in every two weeks—which showed a cancer reduction in the first six months.
Eighteen months later, Paul is stable with ongoing chemotherapy and “thankful to the wonderful angels in disguise”—the doctors and nurses that treated him.
“The Mater facilities are fantastic and I know without the help of donations we wouldn’t have what we have today like the extra comfort chemotherapy chairs,” said Paul.
You can join the fight against cancer by supporting Queensland Dry July participants like “Sober Chemo Nurses” who are giving up alcohol for July to help make the lives of cancer patients at Mater Adult Hospital easier.
Last year over 4000 national participants raised $1.2 million to improve cancer patient’s conditions, treatment processes and support networks by providing real and tangible change.
Each year, Mater Adult Hospital Cancer Services Division treats 5900 inpatients and 12 000 outpatients throughout Queensland.
This year funds raised will refurbish and furnish two 'multi-purpose rooms' in Mater Adult Hospital Oncology Unit which will function both as a clinical area and a relaxation space.
It will feature music, a separate area for counselling by psychologists/nurses/ occupational therapists via a psychology assessment kit, treatment chair, blanket warmers, acupuncture, massage chair and other distractive entertainment equipment.