Heather Latter
Many men throughout the district grew moustaches last month in support of “Movember,” which raised funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.
Those participating were encouraged to register at ca.movember.com with a clean-shaven face, then for the next 30 days grow their moustaches to become walking billboards prompting conversation around the often-ignored issue of men’s health.
Boston Pizza here once again supported the event by having employees participate, as well as hosting a “Movember Shave-Off” bash Nov. 30.
“We had a really good turnout,” noted community relations co-ordinator Faith Moen, saying the second-annual event was a success with many moustache-clad men filling the restaurant.
Not only were prizes award for the best and worst moustache, but Greg Spicer took home he 51” Samsung plasma TV for receiving the most votes in a contest hosted by Boston Pizza and 93.1 The Border.
“The mood was quite celebratory,” Moen enthused. “Everyone was excited and proud to show off their moustaches.”
Most of the men also opted to have their moustaches shaved off that night, with Erin Wood and Alicia Desserre of Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care doing the honours.
“It really added to it,” Moen said. “It was a fun night for a great cause.”
Still, she had hoped there would have been more entries in the online contest and encourages even more men to participate next year.
Male participants, known as “Mo Bros,” were supported by the women in their lives, “Mo Sistas,” as they raised funds by seeking out sponsorships for their Mo-growing efforts.
“There were a lot of business and individuals who took part in ‘Movember’ this year,” Moen noted.
Based on numbers posted on the “Movember” website, a 14-member team from the local Canada Border Services Agency, known as the “Cancer Busting Stache Association,” brought in $3,436.69.
But the 11-member Gillons’ (Insurance) Moustache Men raised a whopping $6,135 for the cause.
Meanwhile, an 11-member Ministry of Natural Resources team from Fort Frances and Atikokan accumulated $2,763.14, a five-member team at Robert Moore School brought in $820, and staff and students at St. Francis School raised more than $1,500.
And there certainly were more groups and individuals around the community who grew moustaches and supported the cause.
Participation in “Movember” increased locally last year, as well as globally, with more than 854,000 “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” around the world getting on board, raising $125.7 million in all.
The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by “Movember” and their men’s health partner, Prostate Cancer Canada.
Together, the two organizations work to ensure that “Movember” funds are supporting a broad range of programs that coincide with their strategic goals of awareness and education, survivorship, and research.
“Movember” continues to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and getting them to act on that knowledge.
That, in turn, increases the chances of early detection, diagnosis, and effective treatment.
