What started as three mates wanting to take a break from alcohol in July 2008, has become a national fundraiser for people affected by cancer.
The Dry July fundraiser, that encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of July, has raised $49 million and funded projects at more than 80 cancer organisations across Australia, since 2008.
While normally Dry July has meant going alcohol-free for the entire 31 days, this year the organisers have decided to do things are little differently – participants can choose to go dry for 14, 21 or 31 days.
Regardless of how many days you choose, taking a month off from alcohol (or even 14 days) has many heath benefits.
It’s known that while alcohol intake increases your risk of cancer (bowel, breast, mouth, throat, voice box, oesophagus and liver), heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), suicide, injury and car accidents, the health benefits of going alcohol free, include:
- Improved liver function;
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease;
- Reduced risk of cancer;
- Weight loss;
- Improved sleep;
- Increased energy;
- And … no hangovers!
So, with cases of cancer diagnosis in Australia expected to total 147,956 in 2020 (Cure Cancer, 2020), Dry July is a great month to not only reap the many health benefits of giving up the booze, but it’s also a good way to support vital research and those affected by this debilitating disease.
For more information or to sign up to Dry July, visit: dryjuly.com
