Dry July: giving up is giving so much

In this month’s Awareness Spotlight feature, we speak with Katie Evans, CEO of the Dry July Foundation, to learn more about the organisation and how you can support the Dry July campaign through your community pharmacies.  

Katie Evans, CEO of the Dry July Foundation.

Tell us about your role within the Dry July Foundation and how you came to work at the organisation.

I’ve been with the Dry July Foundation since 2014, starting in the marketing team. I was appointed CEO in July 2020.

It’s been incredible to see the growth of the campaign and brand over the past few years. The team and I are continuously working to make Dry July bigger and better each year so we can support even more people affected by cancer.

How and why did the Dry July Foundation come about? Tell us more about the Dry July campaign. What are its goals and where do all the proceeds from Dry July go?

Dry July Foundation is the registered charity behind the Dry July campaign.

Dry July started as a challenge between mates in July 2008.

The co-founders, Brett [Macdonald], Kenny [McGilvary] and Phil [Grove], wanted to take a break from alcohol, so decided to abstain for the month of July, coining it their ‘dry July’. They also wanted to raise money for cancer, a cause very close to their hearts, so they asked friends and family to sponsor them.

Hoping to raise $3000 to buy a TV set for their local cancer centre’s waiting room, their campaign was a huge success.

The first Dry July ended up raising $250,000, thanks to the support of [radio and TV presenter] Adam Spencer, and Dry July was well and truly born.

Since 2008, Dry July Foundation has inspired more than 250,000 Aussies to go dry, raising $60 million for people affected by cancer, and funding projects at more than 80 cancer organisations across Australia.

Each year, the Dry July Foundation distributes the funds raised to cancer support organisations across Australia. Our major beneficiaries include Cancer Council, Leukaemia Foundation, McGrath Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Australia, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, and Redkite.

What are the goals of the foundation? What is its mission?

Dry July Foundation believes that people affected by cancer deserve access to care, support and wellness services when and where they need them most.

We’re driven to connect with the community and partner with organisations, so that, together, we can efficiently fund care, support and wellness services that ease the burden for people affected by cancer.

Everything we fund is to benefit cancer patients and their families and carers.

Why is it so important, now more than ever, that people consider their alcohol intake?

If people have found their alcohol consumption has increased in recent times, Dry July is a great way to take a break, reassess your alcohol consumption and start the second half of 2021 feeling fresh and energised.

After Dry July, [about three-quarters] of our participants tell us their outlook on alcohol consumption has changed, and [slightly more] say they’ll drink less having completed a Dry July.

Each year our participants report lots of great health benefits, such as sleeping better, having more energy, clearer skin, and weight loss.

By taking part in Dry July, you’re not only helping others, but you’re also helping yourself. It really is a win-win.

How can pharmacy assistants promote the Dry July Foundation and Dry July in their pharmacies/communities?

Encourage your community and networks to sign up and take part in Dry July by visiting our website dryjuly.com

We also have plenty of resources available on our website to promote Dry July, including posters.

By signing up online, your community will receive communication throughout Dry July to encourage their fundraising, plus tips and motivation for going dry for the month.

We also have a ‘Health Hub’ with lots of great articles to support people during their Dry July.

To read the feature in full, as it appears in the July issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine, visit: rpassistants.com.au/magazines/retail-pharmacy-assistants-july-2021/