THIS year, Dry July is celebrating its 15th year of operation, a colossal milestone from humble origins.

The purpose of Dry July, aside from participants going sober, is to raise funds for people with cancer.

From its inception in 2008, the Dry July Foundation has raised more than $82 million for more than 80 cancer organisations and funded more than 1,200 projects across Australia in the process.

The McGrath Foundation is one organisation that has benefited from the funds raised through Dry July.

Erin is a young mother of three living in Salamander Bay.

She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 29.

Erin knows firsthand the difference that the McGrath Foundation nurses made to her journey through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery and an additional course of chemotherapy.

At the moment Erin is in remission and is focusing on enjoying life with her family.

Erin told News Of The Area, “the McGrath Foundation nurses were always there – I was able to reach out and get answers to my questions.

“I was 29 with three children under six – wondering why me, or why now?

“The support of the McGrath Foundation nurses was amazing,” she said.

It costs $14 million to fund 110 McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses across Australia each year.

You can support locals such as Erin and make a difference in their cancer journey by supporting Dry July.

You can sponsor someone going dry this July or you can sign up and stay sober for July and ask others to sponsor your efforts.

By Marian SAMPSON