Latest news with #DryJuly
West Australian
a day ago
- Health
- West Australian
Cancer Council WA encourages Great Southern people to sign up for Dry July fundraiser for free support line
Cancer Council WA is encouraging people in the Great Southern to quit alcohol for a month and pick up a hot drink for this year's Dry July fundraiser. In a bid to raise crucial funds for the 13 11 20 Cancer Information and Support Line, a free Australian service, the Cancer Council WA encourages Great Southerners to sign up for Dry July 2025. Helping more than 37,000 Australians last year, the number provides a free confidential service by experienced cancer nurses providing emotional and practical support in coping with treatment and side effects as well as end of life. There's also advice on risk reduction and early detection. Cancer Council WA's Great Southern education officer Bruce Beamish said Dry July was a great way to raise funds for an important cause that supported nearly 5800 people Statewide in 2024. 'This service is not government-funded, it is funded through the generosity of donors and fundraisers,' he said. 'The service connects West Australians with relevant support, information and resources to help them through their cancer journey.' Mr Beamish said that participating in Dry July also yielded a range of health benefits. 'Going dry for July is a great opportunity to look at how you can reduce your overall alcohol use,' he said. 'Alcohol is a cause of cancer, research shows that every year more than 3500 cases of cancer can be attributed to alcohol use, such as mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer in women. 'There is no safe level of alcohol use, as any level increases the risk of developing an alcohol-caused cancer. The more you drink, and the more often you drink, the greater your risk. 'To reduce your cancer risk, reduce your drinking.' To sign up to Dry July visit and for more information about the Cancer Council's support services, visit or call 13 11 20.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
More than three million Aussies to pocket about $277 this Dry July, research from comparison site Finder has revealed
Australians doing Dry July will not only improve the health of their liver but also their bank balances to the tune of $277, new research has revealed. Comparison site Finder has found that 20 per cent of Australian drinkers are cutting out grog this month for the annual Dry July sobriety run. With the average drinker forking out $69.40 per week on alcohol, according to Finder, the total savings will hit $277 for the month. The research found the weekly average spend on alcohol was down 35 per cent from $108.20 a year ago as cumulative cost of living pressures force Aussies to cut back on drinking. Finder's head of consumer research Graham Cooke said Dry July was a 'great opportunity' for Aussies to reset their financial habits alongside their health habits. 'Many Aussies don't realise how much money quietly disappears on drinks out with friends or a quiet bottle of wine in the evening,' Mr Cooke said. 'Cutting out alcohol for a month can easily save you hundreds of dollars – that's money that could go towards paying down debt, building your emergency fund or simply boosting your savings. 'Not only that, but your liver will start to repair itself after a couple of weeks – so the longer you stay off the booze, the better. 'It's great that it's becoming more acceptable to say no to a drink. Choosing to skip alcohol, whether for health or for financial reasons, doesn't mean you have to skip the fun.' Finder's research showed a whopping 3.2 million Aussies will take part in Dry July this year. That will put $886m back into the pockets of everyday Australians if all successfully complete the challenge. About 11 per cent of respondents to Finder's survey said they were completing Dry July for the first time while nine per cent said they had done it previously. The savings comes as alcohol inflation has continued to surge over the past year. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistic showed the price of beer rose 4.5 per cent and the price of spirits jumped four per cent for the year up to March 2025. Alcohol and tobacco rose 6.5 per cent over 12 months while prices jumped 1.2 per cent in the March quarter.
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Multiple myeloma: Pāpāmoa father diagnosed with cancer after bad back pain
Harrison is participating in the Dry July campaign this year – an annual challenge where participants give up alcohol for a month while raising funds for non-medical services for Kiwi cancer patients, including physiotherapy rehabilitation service Pinc and Steel, which Harrison has used. Dry July raised more than $900,000 last year for cancer patients. Registrations are open for this year's initiative. Eighteen months before his diagnosis, Harrison said he started avoiding things that were 'jarring' his back, such as jogging. Harrison said he kept seeing his GP who kept prescribing 'harder pain relief'. A physiotherapist saw he was in 'so much pain' and referred Harrison for an X-ray. 'The X-ray revealed that I had a couple of fractures in my lower back.' Blood tests at Tauranga Hospital showed his kidneys were about to fail, and further tests revealed the 'completely unexpected' multiple myeloma. 'I remember … taking a taxi home from the hospital and thinking, well that's quite big news.' He thought of his four children and the impact the diagnosis could have on them. 'It was a very odd time …' He understood the fractures were linked to cancerous cells building up and weakening his bones. He initially had three fractures in his vertebrae in his lower back. Now he had five. As a result, Harrison said he had 'an odd curvature' in his spine and was 5cm shorter. After his diagnosis, he immediately started chemotherapy and an unfunded immunotherapy drug called daratumumab, which his health insurance covered. The first relief for his back pain came with radiation therapy in October. 'It got very bad - I could hardly walk. I couldn't really get out of bed.' Harrison had a stem cell transplant in November. Subsequent blood tests showed there were still 'traces' of myeloma 'but they were too small to measure'. He continued with chemotherapy and daratumumab and had an 'extremely good response' to treatment. 'Whether I would have had that had it not been for daratumumab, it's too hard to say ... ' Harrison said he took a maintenance drug 'because the chances of it coming back are 100%'. His recovery also involved getting back into a regular routine, including walking and playing with his children. He returned to work fulltime in February, working from home. Harrison was referred to Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation, where he did stand-up paddleboarding. Due to fatigue and being 'a strange shape', he said the last place he wanted to be was in the gym with 'much fitter' people. 'It was quite comforting being able to go to a group with other cancer patients where no explanation was really required.' It also helped him meet new people as he had been stuck in hospital and at home. He said charitable support was 'enormously helpful' and 'crucial' to his recovery, and he encouraged people to do Dry July and support organisations that helped cancer patients. A Dry July press release said funds raised would go towards Look Good Feel Better, Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand, and Pinc and Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation. The organisations provided free personal care sessions, rehabilitation classes, counselling, and community support that helped people rebuild their confidence after a diagnosis. Dry July campaign director Veronica Shale said the emotional and mental toll of cancer often went unseen, 'despite most New Zealanders being directly or indirectly impacted'. Shale said prizes were up for grabs for participants. People can register on the Dry July website.
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
There's Nothing More Sobering Than Cancer: Do Dry July And Show Up For The People You Love
Press Release – Dry July Dry July 2025 is officially open for registrations and New Zealanders are being urged to sign up, go alcohol-free for a month and raise funds to provide non-medical support for the people close to them, fighting cancer. Every 22 minutes, another New Zealander hears the devastating news they have cancer. In July alone, more than 2,200 Kiwis will be diagnosed. That's why we Dry July. Your mum, dad, sister, friend, colleague, aunty, uncle – every New Zealander knows someone affected by cancer. This year, we're asking you to show up for them and go alcohol-free for 31 days this July to raise money for life-changing cancer care across New Zealand. 'The emotional and mental toll of cancer often goes unseen, despite most New Zealanders being directly or indirectly impacted,' says Veronica Shale, Dry July NZ Campaign Director. 'That's why it's important we show up, not just in words, but in action.' Cancer support services help people navigate their life after a diagnosis. To run, these services rely on public donations. Dry July 2025 is officially open for registrations and New Zealanders are being urged to sign up, go alcohol-free for a month and raise funds to provide non-medical support for the people close to them, fighting cancer. This year's message from Dry July is that there is nothing more powerful than showing up for others: think about your own personal connection to cancer and register for them. Dry July raises funds for three frontline cancer charities: Look Good Feel Better, Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand, and PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation. These organisations provide free personal care sessions, rehabilitation classes, counselling, and community support that help people rebuild their confidence and find their footing following diagnosis. These services are vital, often overlooked, but make the most life-changing impact. Every Dry July registration and donation help those affected by cancer. One month alcohol-free is a modest act in the face of their much greater struggle. To help keep motivation high, this year's campaign includes exciting prizes and incentives for participants. 'We've made it even more exciting to get involved,' says Shale. 'There are awesome prizes up for grabs throughout the month to keep participants inspired and supported, all while making a real difference for people affected by cancer.' People can participate in Dry July as individuals or as a workplace team and seek sponsorship. Dry July raised more than $900,000 last year, and since it launched in New Zealand in 2012, more than 61,000 people have taken part, raising more than $10 million to support cancer patients, their whānau and carers. Giving up alcohol is a small sacrifice for someone facing cancer. Act for your health, and theirs. Dry July has been the ultimate alcohol-free challenge since 2012, raising funds for tens of thousands of New Zealanders living with cancer. Through the generous efforts of participants, more than 170 projects have been funded, providing comfort and care for those affected by cancer. Do it for your dad, your sister, your best mate, your colleague. Do it for someone you love. Notes: About Dry July The Dry July campaign challenges people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise funds for New Zealanders affected by cancer. People can participate as individuals or set up a workplace team. Participants are encouraged to seek sponsorship or purchase golden tickets, to have a day off going dry, for special occasions. Dry July started in Australia in 2008, when three mates decided to abstain from alcohol for a month to raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Hoping to raise $3,000 to buy a TV for their local hospital's waiting room, the initial campaign was a huge success and ended up raising over $250,000. Look Good Feel Better Look Good Feel Better provides a range of free wellbeing sessions, for anyone with any cancer at any stage. It is a time away from diagnosis, treatment and recovery, to help people navigate cancer with confidence. Look Good Feel Better is a beneficiary of Dry July NZ, and with the support of those who donate to Dry July, is able to ensure a free programme of online sessions that help people with cancer throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Look Good Feel Better is free to anyone from diagnosis to thrival. PINC & STEEL PINC & STEEL have been leaders in cancer rehabilitation in New Zealand since 2005 and aided over 4,500 cancer patients in the past year alone. With certified oncology physiotherapists, PINC & STEEL provide tailored physical, emotional, and social support to maximise recovery and enhance future wellbeing. The individualised and group programmes, which span from Kaitaia to Invercargill, include Next Steps, Targeted, and PaddleOn. Dry July funding supports these group classes. Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand The Prostate Cancer Foundation represents anyone impacted by prostate cancer, advocating on their behalf for improved standards of care, funding NZ-based research, and providing a diverse portfolio of free in-person and remote support services to helping them not just survive, but thrive, at any stage of their journey. The Foundation is there for them, their family and whānau, when they need it the most, with emotional and physical support. Thanks to Dry July, we are able to meet the growth in demand for our round-the-clock counselling service and Prost-FIT tailored exercise classes.
Scoop
11-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
There's Nothing More Sobering Than Cancer: Do Dry July And Show Up For The People You Love
Every 22 minutes, another New Zealander hears the devastating news they have cancer. In July alone, more than 2,200 Kiwis will be diagnosed. That's why we Dry July. Your mum, dad, sister, friend, colleague, aunty, uncle – every New Zealander knows someone affected by cancer. This year, we're asking you to show up for them and go alcohol-free for 31 days this July to raise money for life-changing cancer care across New Zealand. 'The emotional and mental toll of cancer often goes unseen, despite most New Zealanders being directly or indirectly impacted,' says Veronica Shale, Dry July NZ Campaign Director. 'That's why it's important we show up, not just in words, but in action.' Cancer support services help people navigate their life after a diagnosis. To run, these services rely on public donations. Dry July 2025 is officially open for registrations and New Zealanders are being urged to sign up, go alcohol-free for a month and raise funds to provide non-medical support for the people close to them, fighting cancer. This year's message from Dry July is that there is nothing more powerful than showing up for others: think about your own personal connection to cancer and register for them. Dry July raises funds for three frontline cancer charities: Look Good Feel Better, Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand, and PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation. These organisations provide free personal care sessions, rehabilitation classes, counselling, and community support that help people rebuild their confidence and find their footing following diagnosis. These services are vital, often overlooked, but make the most life-changing impact. Every Dry July registration and donation help those affected by cancer. One month alcohol-free is a modest act in the face of their much greater struggle. To help keep motivation high, this year's campaign includes exciting prizes and incentives for participants. 'We've made it even more exciting to get involved,' says Shale. 'There are awesome prizes up for grabs throughout the month to keep participants inspired and supported, all while making a real difference for people affected by cancer.' People can participate in Dry July as individuals or as a workplace team and seek sponsorship. Dry July raised more than $900,000 last year, and since it launched in New Zealand in 2012, more than 61,000 people have taken part, raising more than $10 million to support cancer patients, their whānau and carers. Giving up alcohol is a small sacrifice for someone facing cancer. Act for your health, and theirs. Dry July has been the ultimate alcohol-free challenge since 2012, raising funds for tens of thousands of New Zealanders living with cancer. Through the generous efforts of participants, more than 170 projects have been funded, providing comfort and care for those affected by cancer. Do it for your dad, your sister, your best mate, your colleague. Do it for someone you love. Notes: About Dry July The Dry July campaign challenges people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise funds for New Zealanders affected by cancer. People can participate as individuals or set up a workplace team. Participants are encouraged to seek sponsorship or purchase golden tickets, to have a day off going dry, for special occasions. Dry July started in Australia in 2008, when three mates decided to abstain from alcohol for a month to raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Hoping to raise $3,000 to buy a TV for their local hospital's waiting room, the initial campaign was a huge success and ended up raising over $250,000. Look Good Feel Better Look Good Feel Better provides a range of free wellbeing sessions, for anyone with any cancer at any stage. It is a time away from diagnosis, treatment and recovery, to help people navigate cancer with confidence. Look Good Feel Better is a beneficiary of Dry July NZ, and with the support of those who donate to Dry July, is able to ensure a free programme of online sessions that help people with cancer throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Look Good Feel Better is free to anyone from diagnosis to thrival. PINC & STEEL PINC & STEEL have been leaders in cancer rehabilitation in New Zealand since 2005 and aided over 4,500 cancer patients in the past year alone. With certified oncology physiotherapists, PINC & STEEL provide tailored physical, emotional, and social support to maximise recovery and enhance future wellbeing. The individualised and group programmes, which span from Kaitaia to Invercargill, include Next Steps, Targeted, and PaddleOn. Dry July funding supports these group classes. Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand The Prostate Cancer Foundation represents anyone impacted by prostate cancer, advocating on their behalf for improved standards of care, funding NZ-based research, and providing a diverse portfolio of free in-person and remote support services to helping them not just survive, but thrive, at any stage of their journey. The Foundation is there for them, their family and whānau, when they need it the most, with emotional and physical support. Thanks to Dry July, we are able to meet the growth in demand for our round-the-clock counselling service and Prost-FIT tailored exercise classes.
