The 19 year-old, who is fond of the occasional glass of wine, is happy to ‘go dry’ to raise awareness of a cause that’s close to her heart.

Ms Dempsey Wilson has signed up for ‘Dry July, the month-long annual fundraiser for people living with cancer.

The sales executive knows first-hand the devastating effects cancer can have on a family.

Her stepfather David Wilson, a Warrnambool paramedic, lost his battle with prostate cancer in 2007.

“My stepdad raised me since I was eight months old so he was basically my real dad,” she said.

“He passed away from prostate cancer when I was nine-years-old.

“I remember having to go to Ballarat and watching the treatment get done and knowing we didn’t have enough money to pay for it,” she said.

“It was so difficult. Even the aftermath. I think mum’s only just got out of debt from it.”

Ms Dempsey Wilson said the cost of cancer was more than just physical.

“I remember going to school and wearing the same clothes two days in a row and people would be mocking me about it and I’d say “we haven’t got any money it’s just all going to treatment.”

Throwing her support behind the campaign is her new focus.

“Anything that I can do to help anyone going through this I will, because we didn’t have that support so I want to make sure other people do.

“There needs to be a lot more awareness about it.

Ms Dempsey Wilson said in August she would raise a glass in honour of her step-father.

“I’ll definately be having a cougar for my dad once its over,” she said. “That was his favourite drink.”

Ms Dempsey Wilson has raised $175 for Dry July. Her target is $2,000.

Dry July has inspired more than 130,000 Aussies to go dry since its inception.

Raising $30 million for people affected by cancer, the crusade funds accommodation, transport, entertainment, furnishings, resources and comfort items for cancer patient at more than 75 organisations across Australia.

Dry July began in July 2008 when three mates decided to abstain from alcohol for the month of July to raise money for a family member affected by cancer.

They termed the sobriety ‘Dry July’ and asked family and friends to sponsor them.

Hoping to raise $3000 to buy a TV for their local hospital’s waiting room, the trio from Sydney and Melbourne ended up raising $250,000 for The Prince of Wales Hospital.

The campaign gained the attention of media personality Adam Spencer and has since become an annual crusade.