Dry July Foundation is an

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

not-for-profit organization A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a Legal Entity, legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and Nonprofit organ ...

founded in 2008 that runs an annual campaign called "Dry July" that challenges people to abstain from drinking

alcohol Alcohol may refer to: Common uses * Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds * Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life ** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages ** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...

throughout July to raise funds for

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

support organizations. As of 2024, the Dry July Foundation claims to have raised more than $90 million for people affected by cancer. In 2012, Dry July expanded to New Zealand.

The campaign

Participants of Dry July are encouraged to abstain from drinking alcohol during the month of July and solicit donations to the Foundation from their friends and family. Participants nominate a cancer service where they want the donations to go. The campaign also offers "Golden Tickets" costing a minimum of $25, should a participant want a 'night off' from abstaining. In order to become a Dry July beneficiary, cancer support organizations must apply to the Foundation and meet the Dry July beneficiary guidelines. Starting in 2014, the Dry July Foundation began offering participants the choice to support the Foundation's grant program for cancer support organizations in

Western Australia Western Australia (WA) is the westernmost state of Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east. Western Aust ...

. The grant program was expanded in 2015 to encompass other states in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

as well as in New Zealand.

History

In 2008, Phil Grove, Brett Macdonald and Kenny McGilvary pledged to give up alcohol for a month to raise some money for their local hospital. After the challenge was picked up by 702 ABC Sydney's

Adam Spencer Adam Barrington Spencer (born 29 January 1969) is an Australian comedian, media personality and former radio presenter. He first came to fame when he won his round of the comedic talent search '' Raw Comedy'' in 1996. Soon thereafter, he bega ...

, over 1,000 people signed up to Dry July, raising over $250,000. In 2009, Dry July supported six cancer services around Australia. With 4,000 participants, the organization raised over $1.3 million. In 2010, 9,000 people signed up to Dry July, raising $2.4million+ for 10 cancer services across Australia (with each Australian state and territory represented). In 2011, Dry July had 11,500+ participants sign up and raise over $2.8 million for 13 cancer services. Dry July expanded internationally in 2012, with the first Dry July New Zealand taking place. Over 2,000 New Zealanders signed up and raised NZD$550,000+. In Australia, Dry July added an additional 7 cancer services to its beneficiary list, and raised over $3.7 million from its 15,000+ participants. In 2013, Dry July in Australia had over 18,000 participants raise $4.3 million for their 31 beneficiaries. For the second Dry July New Zealand, over 4,000 people participated and raised over $765,000 for three beneficiaries:

Auckland City Hospital Auckland City Hospital is a public hospital located in Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest hospital in New Zealand,Largest hospital in New Zealand...' - News-Medical.Net, Tuesday 29 June 2004 as well as one of the oldest medical fa ...

, Wellington Hospital and

Christchurch Hospital Christchurch Hospital is the largest tertiary hospital in the South Island of New Zealand. The public hospital is in the centre of Christchurch city, on the edge of Hagley Park, and serves the wider Canterbury region. The Canterbury District ...

. 2014 saw Dry July raise $3.8 million for 37 cancer services across Australia, with 19,600+ participants signed up for the challenge. In 2015, Dry July had 21,400 participants sign up and raise $4.1 million for 42 cancer support organizations in Australia.

Cautions

For participants with a dependency on alcohol, dry months may lead to symptoms of

alcohol withdrawal syndrome Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a set of symptoms that can occur following a reduction in or cessation of alcohol use after a period of excessive use. Symptoms typically include anxiety, shakiness, sweating, vomiting, fast heart rate, a ...

if they start out abstaining completely. For such people, experts advise consultation with a health professional before participating in this exercise.

External links

Official Dry July Website

Dry July New Zealand

References

{{Alcohealth 2003 establishments in Australia Australian inventions Awareness months Cancer awareness Cancer fundraisers Health observances Month-long observances Health charities in Australia Cancer organisations based in Australia Foundations based in Australia Medical and health foundations Observances in Australia July observances Temperance organizations Temperance movement in Australia Temperance movement in New Zealand Alcohol in Australia

The campaign

History

Cautions

See also

External links

References