Cassie Rowe is four days into a month without drinking alcohol for Dry July, a non-profit organisation raising money for adults with cancer.

Ms Rowe's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 1/2 years ago and underwent treatment at Aorangi Hospital, Palmerston North.

"I saw [Dry July] on the news last week and that the money would go to the chemotherapy unit in Auckland.

"If my being sober for a month means cancer sufferers are a bit more comfortable, then it seemed like the right thing to do."

The organisation has been running in Australia since 2008. It is the first Dry July in New Zealand.

Auckland District Health Board spokesman Matthew Rogers said the pilot campaign for the event in New Zealand was based in Auckland.

"If we can make a success out of this year's campaign then Dry July will become national in 2013."

All the money raised this year will go to the Northern Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The money will be put towards improving patient comfort, such as providing comfortable areas where patients could wait between hospital treatments if necessary, Mr Rogers said.

Ms Rowe, 25, from Palmerston North, said she aimed to raise about $500 and she would also give the money she saved from not drinking to Dry July. "I initially didn't think it would be that tough but I'm still in the honeymoon phase. I've got a few events coming up.

"My flatmate and my friends and I would go out on a Saturday night for a drink and a dance."

However, Ms Rowe said she would still be enjoying herself, minus the alcohol.

For more information see Ms Rowe's blog.

- © Fairfax NZ News