07 July 2023
Jonita Lewis is a palliative care nurse and certified midwife who works on country in the Pilbara region to provide support and comfort to First Nations people and their family members.
Although this isn’t her first time taking part in Dry July, her decision to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) this year holds a special significance.
“I chose prostate cancer research because I had a patient pass away who I was very connected to, who had no family and had to do this all on his own,” said Ms Lewis. “The Elder had metastatic prostate cancer which had spread to the brain and liver. When he died, he left me his trucker hat and didn’t want anyone else to touch him apart from me and one other nurse.
“He was incredibly important to me, so that’s why this year I am honouring him - may he Rest In Peace.”
Hundreds of Australian men and women are preparing to go Dry this July alongside Ms Lewis in a bid to raise awareness of prostate cancer and support specialist nursing services.
Every 22 minutes a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer, with prostate cancer now the leading cause of cancer in Australia.
“Giving up your wine a night isn’t too hard when you have some perspective. We need funding, resources and education to keep First Nations patients supported during this time,” said Ms Lewis.
“Remote palliative care nurses like me carry this weight very seriously and we need help.”
PCFA CEO Anne Savage praised the efforts of this year’s Dry July participants for PCFA.
“Jonita is an outstanding ambassador for our work and a shining light for men and families impacted by prostate cancer,” Ms Savage said.
“The clinical nursing care and comfort Jonita and other nurses give, in one of the most remote corners of our country, is invaluable.
“Right now specialist nurses support 2 in 3 men with prostate cancer, but many men are still missing out. “When people register to go Dry this July, they’ll be helping us to close the gap.”
Prostate cancer remains a major challenge for men’s health in Australia, with nearly 25,000 men diagnosed every year.
“Around 250,000 Australian men are alive today after a diagnosis. The funds raised from Dry July go directly towards our specialist nurses and our nationwide telenursing service,” she said.
“You can make a difference in the lives of uncles, fathers, sons and grandfathers from all corners of the country by going Dry this July for PCFA.”
People can support Jonita Lewis’s campaign at https://www.dryjuly.com/users/jonita-lewis
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Laura Howden | 0468 788 609
