The team at Bendigo Health is urging people to give up booze this month to support cancer patients.
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Dry July is an online fundraising campaign which encourages participants to give up alcohol for the 31 days in July.
It raises funds for adults living with cancer with funds raised for Bendigo Health going towards improving oncology services.
Bendigo Health plans to put this year’s funds towards a scalp cooling machine that aids in hair loss prevention during cancer treatment.
The cooling treatment can result in a high level of hair retention, or complete hair preservation for some patients.
It also helps improve patients’ confidence and some normalcy as hair loss through treatment is a constant reminder of cancer.
This year is the fourth time Bendigo Health has taken part in Dry July.
In 2015, the team raised more than $82,000 during Dry July and after combining funds with their 2014 efforts were able to refurbish the Nolan Street cancer patient accommodation units.
Other projects taken up by Dry July teams around Australia include comfort items for patients, transportation projects, information resources and complimentary therapies and wellness programs.
Bendigo Health Foundation director Jane Anderson said Dry July is a wonderful opportunity to support people receiving treatment for cancer.
“By committing to being ‘dry’ for a month, not only are participants doing something good for their own health and encouraging a healthy attitude to alcohol consumption, they are helping us help care for our cancer patients,” she said.
“Even if you don’t sign up for Dry July you can still sponsor participants which then supports our patients and their needs.”
Bendigo Health has wrangled several local identities into their team already.
Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association CEO Margot Falconer, National Australia Bank’s Dane Sheppard, Juan Corradi from The Schaller Studio and Bendigo Health oncology nurse James Cozens are taking up the challenge and acting as ambassadors for the Bendigo Health team.
The quartet will be enjoying mocktails and drinks such as virgin mojitos or pina coladas as the month rolls on.
Across the country, Dry July has more than 14,000 participants who have already raised more than $1,127,932.
The fundraising effort also encourages participants to take note of their own drinking habits and consider the value of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Donate to the Bendigo Health team by signing up at www.dryjuly.com