Smooth FM’s Mike Perso gives up grog to help fund cancer support

Smooth FM 91.5 Melbourne Breakfast host Mike Perso is giving up alcohol for a good cause this month, raising money for Dry July Foundation and supporting people affected by cancer.

Dry July is a fundraiser that encourages Australians to go alcohol-free in July to raise money for people affected by cancer.

Fund raised provide invaluable services for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Since the first Dry July in 2008, the Dry July campaign has raised over $90 million dollars for people affected by cancer.

As a social drinker and self-proclaimed wine aficionado, Perso got behind the cause to not only challenge himself, but also to encourage others to donate to the Foundation, which distributes to cancer organisations across Australia including Cancer Council, Bowel Cander Australia and the McGrath Foundation.

Perso says “Cancer is a mongrel of a thing, and every person knows someone who’s been affected by it. I wanted to do something small to help people dealing with cancer, while also challenging myself to stay off the grog too.”

Funding cancer research and supporting people diagnosed has always meant a lot to Perso, particularly given his father passed away from brain cancer.

“One minute Mum and Dad were planning their retirement trip to Tassie, the next Dad couldn’t stand up straight and kept falling over. A couple of months later he was dead. It must have been terrifying for him … it was devastating for the family”.

Perso is well known as an amateur sommelier and often speaks of it on his brekky show. But the veteran radio host is willing to give it all up and go alcohol-free for the month and fundraise for a fantastic cause.

Mike Perso’s fundraising page can be found here.