Dry July: Are you up for the challenge?

Four weeks until Dry July: Are you up for the challenge?

Dry July, the fundraiser that challenges you to go booze-free for a month to support adults living with cancer, is back and open for 2014 sign-ups. Imagine what you could accomplish with a clear head for 31 days – giving up booze is a real opportunity to focus on being healthy and achieve something for yourself, while at the same time raising funds for an important cause.

Dry July improves the wellbeing of adult cancer patients by providing funds to create better services and environments for them and their families, and with July 1 fast approaching, ambassadors and founders are calling on Kiwis to get on the wagon with them.

In the last two years, Dry July participants have raised over $1.3 million for Kiwi cancer sufferers. Dry July co-founder Brett McDonald says he hopes to top $1 million in donations in 2014.

“In the past, year-on-year growth in donations and participants has been phenomenal. We saw a 96% increase in Kiwis taking part in Dry July between 2012 and 2013,” he says.

“We’re hoping the number of participants will just keep growing. Dry July is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for a good cause and push New Zealanders out of their comfort zone. We’re looking forward to seeing how many are up for the challenge this year.”

In 2013, over 4,100 New Zealanders participated in Dry July, raising over $765,000 for cancer patients at Auckland City Hospital, Wellington Hospital and Christchurch Hospital. Funds will be donated to the same three beneficiaries in 2014.

A spate of New Zealand’s household names have stepped up to the challenge to go dry this July. Shortland Street star Jacquie Nairn will be participating in Dry July for the second year running, saying taking part again was a “no-brainer”.

“Taking part in Dry July last year was so rewarding. It was heartening to see so much money being raised, and watching the donations add up was a great incentive to keep going. It’s a great cause and such a rewarding experience,” she says.

Other ambassadors for Dry July 2014 include Jono Kenyon (“Step Dave”) and Shortland Street’s Spencer Falls, as well as a number of radio personalities.

Brett encourages all Kiwis to clear their heads for a month and make a difference for adult cancer patients across the country.

“Dry July is an opportunity not only for Kiwis to give back but also to focus on yourself for a month, increase energy levels and boost productivity. After all, it’s incredible what you can achieve without a hangover!”

Dry Julyers will have access to a number of helpful links, including tips on surviving Dry July by an expert psychologist, advice on getting back into fitness, and tasty mocktails and recipes to fuel you throughout the month.

To sign up to the challenge, visit http://nz.dryjuly.com.

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