Dry July 2016 a success
By Samii Avdic on
Over 16,700 Australians embarked on their Dry July journey in 2016, giving up alcohol for the month in order to raise funds for adults living with cancer.
So far, their combined efforts have raised $3.59 million, which will be used to ease the burden, reduce stress, and add comfort for those affected by cancer. The way Dry July achieves this is by funding support services such as hospital transport, patient accommodation, free Wi-Fi, and mobile phone chargers. The aim is to help in ways that may not be front of mind following a cancer diagnosis, and in turn hopefully reducing anxiety for patients.
Previously, services such as wellness programs, wig libraries and complementary therapies including meditation and art therapy have been funded...
60 Ideas For Your Dry July Weekends
By Dry July on
It’s very easy to think about all the things you can’t do when not drinking, but what about all the things you can? Particularly now that you have all this extra time and money. Here is a list of weekend activities that you can do in most cities.
OUTINGS
- Go to the Zoo
- Go to the Aquarium
- Have a picnic
- Go to the spa
- Go to a friend’s/family member’s house
- Go to the theme park
- Go to the beach
- Go to the movies
- Visit a museum/art gallery
- Go shopping
- Go to the markets
- Go for a meal
- Go to a concert
- Go to a local festival
- Go mini-golfing
- Go normal golfing
- Go to the country-side
- Get away for the weekend
- Go ice skating
RELAXING ACTIVITIES
- Read a book
- Do some gardening
- Watch Netflix
- Play video games
- Spend time with family/friends
- Play a board...
Getting Donations for your Dry July
By Samii Avdic on
Okay, so you’ve signed up for Dry July and you’ve shared your profile page with your friends on Facebook. Great work! Some people may have donated. What now?
Well, instead of posting every day begging people to donate, why not try something a little different? Here are just a few things you can do this month to collect donations.
Designated Dryver – Knowing that you won’t be drinking for the month, your family and friends will most likely ask you for lifts. Use this to your advantage by asking for them to pay you through donations.
Christmas in July – Host a Christmas in July dinner at your house for some last minute donations. Everyone must pay on entry.
Bowling – Contact your local venue and ask them to match your bowling fee with an...
Dry July is here!
By Dry July on
Surviving the first weekend of Dry July
Thank you for signing up to be a Dry Hero this year. You're doing a great thing for yourself and others, so we want to make your Dry July journey as effortless as possible; we know it's not always going to be easy, but it will certainly be rewarding.
Your Dry July challenge begins today, which also happens to be a Friday, so you'll probably be surrounded by temptation from the first night...
But be strong! And remember. the answer isn't staying in bed all month bingeing on Netflix, hoping to avoid all temptation and social contact...
Instead, put on something nice and get ready to enjoy the weekend like everybody else, just minus the booze (it's possible, we promise!)
If you're heading...
Thanks to you
By Dry July on
Thanks to you – an incredible new resource for patients and families
Gabby Wynne, Clinical Psychologist, is a new face in the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre. As a direct result of funds raised by Dry July participants supporting the ONJ Centre, Gabby will provide an accessible service for outpatients, carers and families who need expert psychological support.
“A cancer diagnosis and treatment is an incredibly stressful time,” says Gabby. “Quite often people need help to better manage all of the emotions associated with cancer: anxiety, stress, sadness, worry about relationships, fear of recurrence and grief.”
In addition to being available for consultations for patients and carers, Gabby will also design and run group...
Former cancer patient Shane Maher urges everyone to sign-up for Dry July
By Dry July on
A former Eltham basketball coach is urging everyone to give up alcohol and raise funds for cancer support as he embarks on his own road to recovery. 
Shane Maher was treated for lymphoma at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre two years ago and says that without the centre, his outlook would be very different.
Shane coached three teams at the Eltham Wildcats prior to his diagnosis, and led an active lifestyle.
“It was a shock,” Shane said. “I first had a tumour in my sinus which is very rare. My teeth started aching so I went to the dentist, who couldn’t find anything wrong. They thought it may have been one particular tooth so they pulled that one, and while I was under [anaesthetic] they took a blood sample. And...
Wellbeing Event
By Dry July on
Last week, we held a ‘Get ready for Dry July’ wellbeing event for media, influencers and Dry July ambassadors at the YogaBar in Westfield Sydney to help prepare for their upcoming booze-free month.
Ambassador Luke Hines gave a special talk about his experience with going dry, as well as the benefits of completing a Dry July.
The guests were then taken through a 45 minute Yoga class by the wonderful people at the YogaBar, before heading out to the SodaStream Hydration Station for some refreshments and snacks.
Head over to our Wellbeing site if you’re interested in recipes, Dry July tips, fitness and all things Life.
Mocktail Masterclass
By Dry July on
Dry July was very proud to organize a Mocktail Masterclass at Manta Restaurant, which was hosted by our brilliant ambassador “Fast” Ed Halmagyi.
Ed gave a talk outlining the benefits of completing Dry July, including the benefits to participants, as well as services we fund for our beneficiaries so they can provide support to people affected by cancer. Ed also showed guests how to make beautiful, refreshing mocktails so participants are never short of something wonderful to drink during Dry July this year. Recipes were provided by our wonderful partners SodaStream and Australian Bitters, as well as Ed himself, who made some of his own concoctions.
Dry July would like to say a big thank you to everybody who attended, including ambassadors...
Sam Wood is here
By Dry July on
We're so excited to have The Bachelor Australia’s Sam Wood board as a Dry July ambassador this year!
"For me Dry July is a no brainer. It is a brilliant initiative that acts as a catalyst for people to regain control of their health, challenge themselves, explore new activities and most importantly raise funds for something very close to my heart, cancer.
As a health expert I am all about lifestyle balance and sustainability, but a month off the grog for a great cause can only be a good thing and I'm really excited to be involved."
Sign up and join Sam for a Dry July!
If you like, you can donate to Sam.