2023 marks a milestone 15 years of Dry July, the annual challenge encouraging Aussies to give up alcohol and raise funds towards improving the comfort, care and wellbeing of people affected by cancer.
Since its inception in 2008, Dry July Foundation has raised over $82 million for more than 80 cancer organisations and funded more than 1200 projects across Australia in the process.
Noosa local and ovarian cancer survivor Jo Yates said she will be taking part to help those who need it most.
“You kind of think it’ll never happen to you,” she said.
“One of the things I found really helpful when I was first diagnosed was when I came across Ovarian Cancer Australia and the support I had from them was amazing. It’s really overwhelming and they were just incredible.
“So I think any kind of money or any kind of fundraising efforts that can go towards helping other people have services like that is amazing.”
It all started with three friends in a pub pledging to give up alcohol for a month to raise funds for their local hospital, their original goal was to raise $3000.
They well and truly smashed it, gaining the attention and support of Adam Spencer and raising a whopping $250,000. All three founders still remain on the board of Dry July Foundation, and proudly take part in the challenge each year.
Co-founder Brett Macdonald said, “We love to have a laugh about the old joke ‘three men walk into a bar’, and that’s really how it all started.”
“Never did we imagine 15 years ago that Dry July would not only take off in Australia the way it has, but that it would be the inspiration for countless other sober challenges here, and around the world.
“We couldn’t be prouder to be the trailblazers of such a positive global trend, that has not only impacted people’s health and relationship with alcohol, but above all, has raised vital funds for people affected by cancer. That mission has and always will be our number one priority.”
In the last 15 years over 317,000 Dry July-ers and counting have given up the drink and joined the cause.
Dry July Foundation CEO, Katie Evans says, “It’s undeniable that the mass participation we’ve seen has impacted Australia’s drinking culture. Our research this year proves people are less worried about backlash from their mates if they opt to take a break from the booze.”
73 per cent of people agree that it is more popular than ever, and over half admit it’s no longer taboo to take a booze break. As for past Dry July participants, the experience has been such a positive one, that four in five have considered going completely alcohol-free.
Katie said, “Taking 31 days off drinking in July also offers people a little circuit breaker in their year.”
“Whether you’re signing up to raise funds for a cancer foundation close to your heart, doing it for a loved one, or maybe you want to improve your health or your bank balance, every reason is valid, and participants always finish the challenge with a true sense of achievement.”
Over the years Dry July-ers have noted the greater sense of purpose and achievement they feel not just from giving up alcohol, but do it for a cause and raising money for those affected by cancer.
To sign up for Dry July or make a donation, visit the Dry July website – www.dryjuly.com.
