A nurse by trade, Virginia Rogers offers free hand massages and facials at BRICC. Her hand massages are a result of people going alcohol-free for a month.

The national Dry July campaign, which kicks off again on Friday, supports better services and support for cancer patients, carers and family members.

Ballarat Health Services received more than $50,000 from Dry July last year, including a $20,000 grant from the Dry July Foundation, for programs and equipment in the BRICC Wellness Centre.

Ms Rogers said she learned so much each week from session she spends in the chemotherapy day unit.

“It’s always amazing to me the amount people know about their own medical treatment or care. It’s amazing how they know the name of all the cancer drugs they have tried or are trying,” Ms Rogers said. “I’m not asking them anything in a clinical sense. We can talk about anything."

Ms Rogers said hand massages also had a practical purpose. Moisturisation helped skin stay hydrated and healthy. Ms Rogers said people undergoing chemotherapy had lower immune systems and breaking skin increased risk of wounds.

The program allows Ms Rogers a therapeutic connection while her baby was young. Ms Rogers’ nursing has been in general medical cardiology, which she said was hard to pick up full time again as a new mum. She started  as a cosmetics consultant as a way to meet more people and this has gradually led her back into a hospital environment. Ms Rogers said most patients, including men, were happy to have a hand massage and chat.

BRICC also purchased a barbecue for the Pleasant Street accommodation units and a television and foot trolley for the chemotherapy day unit with Dry July funds last year. Dry July also contributes to BRICC’s wellness programs, including art therapy, yoga and meditation.

For the first time, participants will be able to nominate BRICC directly to channel their fundraising.

Dry July has raised more than $200,000 for BRICC since 2012. Go booze free or donate via: dryjuly.com