Sarah’s Dry July Journey: Turning Personal Loss into Purpose

For McGrath Breast Care Nurse Sarah, signing up for Dry July this year is about far more than giving up alcohol, it’s a deeply personal mission to honour loved ones and support the cancer services that matter most.

“When I saw Dry July pop up on my social media feed, I thought, my body could do with a bit of a reset,” she said. “But more importantly, the funds raised go towards supporting people with cancer, and that’s something incredibly close to my heart.”

Sarah lost her cousin to breast cancer when she was just 33. “She had her whole life ahead of her and I remember thinking how unfair it was. I wanted to do something to make someone else’s journey a little better. Even if we can’t cure cancer, we can improve the services that support people living with it.”

Her motivation is also driven by her mother’s experience. Currently living with stage four ovarian cancer, Sarah’s mum has benefitted from many of the services that rely on community donations. “They’ve been fantastic,” Sarah said. “Anything I can do to help ensure those services continue, and that the quality of care remains high for others, that’s what’s important.”

Although this is Sarah’s first time participating in Dry July, she’s no stranger to fundraising. She’s hosted Australia’s Biggest Morning Teas and even shaved her head for cancer research. But this time, she’s bracing for a different kind of challenge.

“Most weekends I like to have a few drinks with friends and go dancing. So I’ll have to find new ways to relax,” she laughed. “But I think it’ll be really good. We fall into the habit of using alcohol to unwind, but we don’t actually need it, and I think my body will thank me for the break.”

Working on the frontline as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sarah sees first-hand how vital donations are. “While my role is primarily clinical, you can’t work in cancer care without offering emotional support too. Fundraising enables services that many patients couldn’t otherwise afford. Sometimes the smallest gesture, funded by donations, can make a huge difference to a patient’s quality of life.”

Sarah set a modest fundraising target of $500 but hopes to surpass it. “If I can raise more, that’s amazing — every dollar goes to services that help real people every day. And who knows? If all goes well, I might just keep signing up each year.”

 

Want to support Sarah’s Dry July journey? Head to Support Sarah Docherty this Dry July and make a donation.

 

Thinking of sighing up yourself? Head to Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund – Dry July 2025