With less than a month to go until Dry July begins, New Zealanders are being encouraged to sign up and go alcohol free for 31 days to support people affected by cancer.
With Dry July just around the corner, Aucklanders are being invited to get moving for a good cause at a special community run club hosted by Oat Bros in Grey Lynn on Saturday 27 June.
The free event is designed to bring together community, wellbeing and fundraising ahead of Dry July, which challenges New Zealanders to go alcohol-free throughout July and raise funds for people affected by cancer.
Starting at 6:50am from Oat Bros on Ariki Street, participants will take on a social 5km run before returning for coffee, oats and a post-run catch-up.
Attendees will also hear from Lou James, Founder of Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (PINC & STEEL), one of Dry July's beneficiary charities, about the impact fundraising has on New Zealanders recovering from cancer treatment.
Broadcaster and Dry July ambassador Mel Homer will also be speaking at the event and encouraging Aucklanders to sign up ahead of 1 July.
With more New Zealanders embracing run clubs, wellness initiatives and alcohol-free lifestyles, the event is designed to show that taking part in Dry July isn't about missing out – it's about doing something positive for yourself while supporting people affected by cancer.
Every 22 minutes, someone in New Zealand is diagnosed with cancer and in July alone, that’s more than 2,200 Kiwis. Every 22 minutes, someone in New Zealand is diagnosed with cancer. In July alone, more than 2,200 Kiwis will hear that news.
Cancer is not just a number. It’s your mum, your mate, your teammate, someone you love – and for many, that’s why they choose to take part.
This July, Kiwis are being asked to go alcohol free for 31 days and raise funds to support people affected by cancer, at a time when demand for support services is increasing across the country.
Dry July began in 2008 when three mates stopped drinking for a month to support a loved one going through treatment. Nearly two decades on, the idea remains simple. Choose your person, go Dry for them and raise funds in their name.
Gillian Odbert, CEO of Dry July, says that personal connection is what drives people to sign up. "For most people, there's a face in their mind when they sign up. It might be someone in treatment, someone in recovery, or someone they've lost. Going Dry is a way to say, 'I can't fix this, but I can do something.'"
Funds raised through Dry July support three New Zealand frontline charities, Look Good Feel Better, Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, and Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (PINC & STEEL), delivering programmes and services across the country.
This includes rehabilitation programmes to rebuild strength after treatment, exercise and recovery classes, counselling services and wellbeing support that helps people regain confidence and independence.
“These services are often the difference between someone simply getting through treatment and someone getting their life back,” says Gillian.
Dry July raised more than $750,000 last year, and since launching in New Zealand in 2012, more than 84,000 Kiwis have taken part, raising over $11 million.
Kiwis can sign up now at www.dryjuly.co.nz and take part as individuals, with friends, or as part of a workplace team.
Event details:
- Saturday 27 June
- 6:50am start
- Oat Bros, 37 Ariki Street, Grey Lynn
- Free social 5km run
- Coffee and oats available afterwards
