This is the sixth year the Illawarra Cancer Care Centre at Wollongong Hospital has been a beneficiary of the nationwide campaign, with Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre in its second year.

Over $400,000 has been raised to help the centres ease the burden, reduce stress and add comfort for those affected by cancer.

All participants have to do is give up alcohol during July, and raise funds for their preferred beneficiary.

‘’Dry July is a good way of raising money to provide things that the public health dollar cannot fund,’’ ICCC clinical nurse consultant Steve Dunn said.

‘’We provide essential services for cancer patients; Dry July means that we can make their time at treatment more comfortable.

‘’For me it’s a month of overall detox – I stop the booze, feel better and reboot my exercise regime.’’

ICCC innovation manager Amy Hains encouraged staff, and community members, to support the centres.

‘’It’s nice team-building for our staff – together we work to raise money for the patients we care for every day,’’ she said.

District co-director of cancer services, Anthony Arnold, said in previous years funds had seen the redevelopment of patient accommodation, the establishment of way-finding kiosks and digital skylights.

‘’Among the projects we hope to fund from this year’s proceeds is an exercise program to help patients manage fatigue and improve exercise tolerance,’’ he said.

‘’It’s part of the overall picture of promoting healthy living and surviving after a cancer diagnosis.’’

Dry July not only raises vital funds for cancer patients, and carers, it encourages healthy lifestyles; and shines a light on social issues surrounding alcohol use.

For instance research commissioned by Dry July has found more than a third of Aussie drinkers have been concerned at some stage in their life that they drink too much.

Dry July CEO Brett Macdonald said: “Our research report has found that Australians are increasingly aware of their own health and are looking to make positive changes to their habits.’’

To register or donate visit www.dryjuly.com