Go Dry
Preparing for your Go Dry challenge
You’re doing something amazing – improving your own health, and helping to change the lives of people touched by cancer.
We're with you every step of the way for your Go Dry challenge, so don't be daunted by a dry month.
Plus, every dollar you raise will help the Canadian Cancer Society fund groundbreaking research and provide a compassionate national support system for people affected by cancer – like their Cancer Information Helpline, a toll-free service to answer questions about cancer including where to get help in your community, emotional support services and information on how to cope with cancer.
Here are our top tips to help you prepare and stay dry:
In preparation:
In December, try to slow down your alcohol intake to half of what you would normally consume.
Plan your week. If you have a (physically distanced!) special occasion, ask someone to buy you a Golden Ticket. It will give you a night off, while also raising more funds for a great cause!
Plan your drink substitutions. There are mocktails, ginger ale, soda water and lime, non-alcoholic beers and wines, herbal tea…
Plan your meals and your shopping list so there are no surprises during the week.
Remove all alcohol from your house. Ask a friend or family member to store your alcohol for you during January.
Prepare your mind as well as your body for abstaining from alcohol during January.
During January:
Get support from other participants; create a Go Dry team with friends and family.
Keep yourself busy – make the most of your weekends! Try a new hobby or go on an adventure outside.
Fundraise! What better motivation to stay dry than knowing you’re raising vital funds for the Canadian Cancer Society?
Use our Go Dry checklist to countdown the month and see how much you've achieved.
Get active. Why not pair your dry month with a new exercise routine?
Remember why you started! Whatever your motivation was for signing up, remind yourself of it throughout the month to help stay strong!
Thirsty for more?
Go Dry is a fundraising campaign that challenges people who drink alcohol socially to change their patterns for a month and make some healthy lifestyle changes. We encourage people to stick to the cancer prevention recommendations for the rest of the year. We advise people who drink 5 or more drinks a day or people who are dependent on alcohol to speak with their healthcare provider before signing up for the Go Dry challenge.
Go alcohol-free to kick-start the new year
Fund groundbreaking research and provide a compassionate national support system for Canadians affected by cancer.
