Thousands Set To Go Alcohol Free This July As Cancer Diagnoses Continue To Rise Across Aotearoa

Registrations for Dry July 2026 are now open

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 register,” she says.

“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 as individuals, join a workplace team, or take on the challenge with friends.

Save money. Raise money.
Feel good. Do good.

Registrations for Dry July 2026 are now open: www.dryjuly.co.nz.

Notes:

• State of Cancer in New Zealand: Full Report 2025 - https://teaho.govt.nz/application/files/7717/6532/5086/Te_Aho_o_Te_Kahu_State_of_Cancer_in_Aotearoa_New_Zealand_2025_full_report_11_December_2025.pdf

About Dry July

The Dry July campaign challenges people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise funds for New Zealanders affected by cancer. People can participate as individuals or set up a workplace team. Participants are encouraged to seek sponsorship or purchase golden tickets, to have a day off going dry, for special occasions.

Dry July started in Australia in 2008, when three mates decided to abstain from alcohol for a month to raise money for a cause close to their hearts. Hoping to raise $3,000 to buy a TV for their local hospital’s waiting room, the initial campaign was a huge success and ended up raising over $250,000.

Look Good Feel Better

Look Good Feel Better provides a range of free wellbeing sessions, for anyone with any cancer at any stage. It is a time away from diagnosis, treatment and recovery, to help people navigate cancer with confidence. Look Good Feel Better is a beneficiary of Dry July NZ, and with the support of those who donate to Dry July, is able to ensure a free programme of online sessions that help people with cancer throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Look Good Feel Better is free to anyone from diagnosis to thrival.

Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (PINC & STEEL)

Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation (PINC & STEEL) have been leaders in cancer rehabilitation in New Zealand since 2005 and aided over 4,500 cancer patients in the past year alone. With certified oncology physiotherapists, PINC & STEEL provide tailored physical, emotional, and social support to maximise recovery and enhance future wellbeing. The individualised and group programmes, which span from Kaitaia to Invercargill, include Next Steps, Targeted, and PaddleOn. Dry July funding supports these group classes.

Prostate Cancer Foundation New Zealand

The Prostate Cancer Foundation represents anyone impacted by prostate cancer, advocating on their behalf for improved standards of care, funding NZ-based research, and providing a diverse portfolio of free in-person and remote support services to helping them not just survive, but thrive, at any stage of their journey. The Foundation is there for them, their family and whānau, when they need it the most, with emotional and physical support. Thanks to Dry July, we are able to meet the growth in demand for our round-the-clock counselling service and Prost-FIT tailored exercise classes.

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