Popular ABC Goldfields Breakfast presenter, Ivo da Silva, is calling on the community to join him for a month off the booze to help those with cancer, after being named Cancer Council WA's regional Ambassador for Dry July 2020.
Mr da Silva said he was looking forward to the challenge and hopes to lose between five to 10kgs while raising much-needed funds for Cancer Council WA's 13 11 20 Cancer Information and Support Line.
"I moved to the Goldfields about 10 years ago and during that time have put on about 25kgs," Mr da Silva said.
"When I got here I joined the soccer club which has its own bar and I became the barman. I know there's probably a lot of people who think I wont be able to do it as I am always the last the leave the clubrooms.
"I think my biggest challenge is more of a timing thing - I like to have a glass of wine at night when making dinner and on the weekends would always go the pubs and have a couple of pints while reading the paper.
"I get a lot of my stories from talking to people in the pub, so I still plan to do that but just drink water.
Mr da Silva said the longest he had gone without drinking was three months while training for a half-marathon, so was gearing up mentally and physically for the challenge.
"My housemate doesn't drink so that will help, I am going to make sure there's no booze in the house, I plan on joining a gym and doing heaps of exercise, and drinking loads of water," he said.
I want to use this as a change of lifestyle and I hope my ABC radio counterparts and the community get on board as well. Let's all do this together and raise much needed funds for Cancer Council."
Our CEO Ashley Reid said committing to the Dry July fundraiser was great way to raise funds for an important cause.
"By going dry this July and fundraising on behalf of Cancer Council you'll help us continue to provide our vital 13 11 20 Cancer Information and Support Line for all Australians affected by cancer," Mr Reid said.
"Our 13 11 20 Information and Support Line is a confidential service run by experienced cancer nurses and is available to those affected by or concerned about cancer. This service is not government funded - it is funded through the generosity of donors and fundraisers.
"The service connects Australians with relevant support, information and resources to help them through their cancer journey. Last year, the service provided support to more than 6,500 Western Australians.
Mr Reid said that participating in Dry July also yielded a range of health benefits.
"Going dry for July is a great opportunity to look at how you can reduce your overall alcohol consumption," he said.
"Alcohol is a cause of cancer; research shows that every year more than 3,200 cases of cancer can be attributed to alcohol consumption, such as mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer in women.
"There is no safe level of alcohol use, as any level increases the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer; with studies showing that the risk of cancer increases with increasing consumption of alcohol on a regular basis.
"To reduce your cancer risk and improve your health and wellbeing, we recommend you limit how much alcohol you drink or better still, avoid drinking alcohol altogether.
"If you choose to drink, limit your intake to a maximum of two drinks a day and make sure you have alcohol-free days."
People wanting to participate in Dry July and help Cancer Council WA to continue supporting thousands of Australians affected by cancer via their 13 11 20 Cancer Information and Support Line can sign up at dryjuly.com/cancercouncil.
Support Ivo da Silva do Dry July 2020 for Cancer Council WA.
