Heather Latter
It’s Nov. 1 and that means the start of “Movember”—when men around the world grow moustaches to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.
Local men are encouraged to participate by registering 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.
Male participants, known as “Mo Bros,” can be supported by the women in their lives, “Mo Sistas,” as they raise funds by seeking out sponsorships for their Mo-growing efforts.
NCDS is jumping in to take part this year.
“We’ve only got one man that works here full-time, but we convinced him to grow a moustache,” noted employee Sarah Marusyk, noting job developer Tim Spence shaved this morning.
With the team name “Tea Strainer Tim & The Whisker Women,” Marusyk said the female employees will support Spence as he grows his moustache.
“And we’re going to promote awareness in the office, having some different resources on hand,” she added.
“If we collect donations, that’s awesome, but we just want to get the word out about men’s health.”
NCDS will be hosting a “Mo Party” on Nov. 20 at 3 p.m., when people are invited to stop by for snacks and to take part in a trivia game.
Boston Pizza, meanwhile, once again will be supporting the event by having its employees participate, as well as hosting a “shave-off” at the end of the month, with plenty of great prizes to be won, including the grand prize of an iPad Air.
As well, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is asking all moustache-growers to post photos to their Facebook page.
“The one with the most ‘likes’ will be Mr. Chamber of Commerce ‘Movember,’” said Samantha Manty.
“It’s important to educate people on men’s health issue and it’s a fun to get the word out,” she added.
“So we’re encouraging as many men as possible to participate.”
Participation in “Movember” has increased locally over the past few years—as well as globally, with more than 1.1 million “Mos” registered worldwide, raising $146.6 million in all.
The funds raised are directed to men’s health programs and research.
The goal of “Movember” is to initiate conversations about men’s health that lead to greater awareness and understanding of the health risks men face, men taking action to remain well, and when men are sick they know what to do and take action.
