It’s here. The annual, month long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November- Movember!
The Movember Foundation raises the awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health.
Yes, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in Australia and around the world. From November 1st, guys start Movember on a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month, guys known as “Mo Bros”, groom, trim and wax their way into a fine moustache. Supported by the women in their lives, “Mo Sistas”, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts.
Last year, Movember raised over $124 million for men’s health. According to research done by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), close to 3,300 men die of prostate cancer, which exceeds the number of women who die from breast cancer annually. Around 20,000 new cases are diagnosed in Australia every year. Each year more Australian men die from prostate cancer than women die from breast cancer however a national survey by PCFA in 2002 showed that while 78% of women felt well informed about breast cancer – only 52% of men felt informed about prostate cancer. Why are men less informed about prostate cancer? Is it because they don’t want to know, care or because there is simply not enough money spent on the education and prevention of prostate cancer? Some of the money raised will go to raising the awareness of this.
One of the great things about Movember is the light-hearted and fun approach it takes to fundraising and creating awareness. The gents at Movember have definitely met their goal of creating an fun, engaging, and original Movember campaign that raises funds and awareness globally. From a campaigning point of view, Movember is great for a number of reasons:
- It doesn’t take itself seriously despite being about a very serious matters
- It involves involvement- You have to grow a moustache!
- It is visible- you are a walking, talking billboard.
- It’s a social cause – it fun and there is always a talking point on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!
- Most importantly it get guys to talk about their health which is not an easy task
Help raise much need fund today and have an excuse to grow a moustache this November.
To get involved go to www.au.movember.com.
Will you be a Mo Bro or Mo Sista this November?
What do you think of the cause?
Do you think the campaign is doing the best to raise much needed funds?
