An anonymous donor is set to generously give $70,000 to boost the Bendigo Health Foundation's Dry July fundraising tally to near $150,000.
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Bendigo Health Cancer Centre acting director Chris White said he was thrilled an anonymous donor said they would generously match the community's July fundraising total.
"This year, we $70,000 raised in July, with the total now $77,277.95, as more funds come through in early August," Mr White said.
In June, the foundation said it hoped to raise $80,000 from the Dry July fundraiser.
Local businesses and members of the community abstained from alcohol during the month of July to help raise money for Bendigo's recently established Cancer Wellness Program.
READ MORE: Cancer focus on wellness
Mr White said the program aims to provide an additional level of support to patients during their cancer treatment.
"The program focuses on mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, which is shown to have a positive impact on an individual's wellbeing and assists them through their clinical treatment and survival," he said.
"A number of activities are offered, but at the moment they are impacted by COVID-19."
Those activities include yoga, meditation, art therapy, oncology message, walking groups and pet therapy.
The opt-in programs are best suited to outpatients, with some activities, such as the weekly walking group and oncology massage, requiring oncologist approval.
Mr White said the funds raised will help make the Cancer Wellness Program sustainable.
"It allows for the types of activities to be facilitated and helps pay for the car of our pet therapy dog Sharlee," he said.
The program is the first of its kind in Bendigo, with similar programs undertaken at the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Most of the activities are offered free of charge, with the program largely relying on donations and year round fundraising.
The Bendigo Health Foundation has been participating in Dry July since 2013, with more than $500,000 raised.
"We had 139 people sign up to support our fundraising campaign this year," Mr White said.
"There was a swell in the number of corporate teams and businesses who have taken part, which has provided a great support."
