Dry July 2012 Ambassadors
Dry July, founded by three men who have experienced loss due to cancer, is a non-profit organisation that aims to help adults living with cancer. Phil Grove, Brett Macdonald and Kenny McGilvary came up with the idea to “ease off the booze” in 2007, which led to the first Dry July in 2008. Five years later, Dry July continues to grow and help adult cancer patients, raising 6.8 million.
Dry July involves giving up the grog for a month in order to raise money that helps ,“adults living with cancer and their families to improve their quality of life.” An important part of the organisation is that the participants know where the money they are raising is going, and therefore they are able to choose which hospital their money goes towards.
This year, Dry July boasts the most beneficiaries they’ve had with twenty. Something very exciting for three guys who, “just [wanted] to help mates.” Seven new beneficiaries were added in 2012, including the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre and the Barwon Health Foundation in Geelong. George Fong, President of the Ballarat Health Services Foundation, believes that Australia is blessed with good health care, but it struggles to reach out to the regional areas. An organisation like Dry July recognising regional areas will help in leaps and bounds.
Shaynna Blaze and Pia Miranda, 2012 Ambassadors
On Wednesday June 20, Dry July hosted a media launch at the Royal Melbourne Hotel. There to support the cause, and enjoying the mocktails on offer, were Dry July ambassadors, Pia Miranda and Brodie Young, along with Royal Melbourne Hospital ambassador, Shaynna Blaze. All believed that Dry July is a terrific cause to get behind, with Shaynna Blaze revealing she has had personal dealings with cancer, so, “to give up alcohol…easy.” Pia Miranda also summed it up nicely by saying, “it’s not very much to give up.”
Dry July aim to raise over three million dollars this year and hopes to trump the 11,500 that participated last year.
To participate in Dry July, you can sign up as an individual or in a team. For more information on how to raise money for adult cancer patients and to sign up, head to www.dryjuly.com. And remember: to raise as much money as possible, Marty Fields suggests, “use Facebook, Twitter. Myspace if you’re a little slow to catch-on…”
