Health service urges people to join Dry July campaign

The Peninsula has already received more than its average July rainfall in the first three weeks of the month (see report, page 2).

And the Central Coast Local Health District is encouraging people to join the Dry July campaign.

However, the campaign is not about reducing flooding on the Peninsula.

Dry July encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of July and raise funds for cancer patients and their families and carers.

Woy Woy resident Mr Raymond Weekes is one of many local cancer patients reaping the benefits of last year's fundraising efforts, through the District's CoastCanCare Wellness Program.

CoastCanCare provides access to free wellness programs such as stress management, music therapy, exercise, self-care, staying positive, pain management, nutrition and Tai Chi.

Mr Weekes said the program made him a better person.

"I went along to CoastCanCare and it helped me open up and I felt stronger for it.

"It taught us to do more of the things we love.

"There's always a positive if you look for it," he said.

His wife Ms Gina Weekes said the program had "given me my husband back".

"This is the fourth year Central Coast Local Health District has been a beneficiary of Dry July and as a result we have been able to continue the CoastCanCare Wellness Program," program coordinator Ms Tia Covi said.

Email, 6 Jul 2016

Casey Virgin, Central Coast Local Health District

Media release, 15 Jun 2016

Sharna Ryan, Central Coast Local Health District