Emmett Skilton and Holly Shervey. Photo / @hollyshervey
A number of celebrities are giving up alcohol for next month’s Dry July, not only to refresh their minds and bodies, but to meet the rising demand for cancer support services.
Shortland Street’s Ben Porter, Ria Vandervis, Jaxin Hall, Emmett Skilton and his fiancée Holly Shervey – most recently seen on Double Parked – and podcaster Dominic Harvey are just a few of the guys who have been on the fence this month.
This year, the organizers of Dry July, in its 11th year, have pledged their support to three major cancer support charities: the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, the PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehab Foundation of NZ and Look Good Feel Better.
Shervey, who lost her mother to cancer, says taking part in a campaign to help ease the pain of sick people comes naturally to her.
“Let’s all drink alcohol for a month, not only to boost our health a little bit, but also to help those suffering from cancer. Cancer can be scary, but the love and support of a campaign like Dry July makes it a little bit easier.”
Skilton wants to be kind to himself and prove to himself that he can.
“I have so much more clarity and joy in my days when I haven’t had any alcohol the night before, so I’m dying to give myself a whole month of it.”
He promises anyone interested in taking it will experience health benefits they never thought possible.
“Because so many others are doing it, working with others to raise awareness and funds for those affected by cancer can make it a really great, community-focused month.”
Ben Porter. Photo / @benpporter
Porter, who left Shorty this week after his role as Milo – the troubled teenager turned gunman in the soap’s cliffhanger – is happy to be channeling his energies into something real and close.
“I will stay sober this July because cancer is terrible. I’m so tired of seeing the innocent people I love fighting such a cruel disease. Cancer has taken far too many people out of my life and affects so many different people around the world. It’s tough, it’s violent and it’s exceeded expectations.”
Porter knows that giving up alcohol won’t magically make cancer go away, but hopes to raise awareness and funds to help fight cancer and encourage friends and family of people to get tested.
“Dry July gives our bodies an important chance to rest and recover. If you are able, find a cancer charity whose work resonates with you and support it. Because chances are, by helping them, you are also helping someone you know.”
Harvey says he’s become far more mindful about his drinking this year since he started the podcast, The Huberman Lab, by American neuroscientist Dr. heard Andrew Huberman.
“This podcast on alcohol has prompted me to make a specific effort to have more alcohol-free days than I have. So I’ve transitioned into drinking most days, having at least 4 AFDs a week, and avoiding alcohol unless I was with others. But even with these personal rules, I know I’m still consuming more than I should.”
In years past, when others tried to get Harvey to do it, he said he made a lame joke about making “Dryish Julyish,” which meant he’d save a little for the month.
Dom Harvey. Photo / Delivered
“You have to want to do it yourself – no one can force you to do it but the various cancer charities this initiative supports are great and it’s also a good opportunity to reflect on your relationship with alcohol if you want to. “
Registration for Dry July 2023 is now open. To register, visit dryjuly.co.nz.
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