Prepare to get hairy for Movember!

Posted on Wednesday 23rd Sep 09

Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache ('Mo') which highlights men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men, during the month formerly known as November.

Mo Bros (men who grow a Mo), supported by the Mo Sistas (women who love a Mo), can register at www.movember.com and then start the month with a clean-shaven face, after which they have the remainder of Movember to grow and groom their moustache.

The idea for Movember was conceived in Melbourne by a few mates over a beer in 2003. There were 30 Mo Bros in the first year and by 2008 there were 124,000 Mo Bros and Sistas in Australia alone, although it also takes place in New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Canada and the US. In 2008, 173,435 Bros and Sistas raised AUS$29.7 million.

In Australia, Movember seeks to highlight the genuine risk's to male health posed by prostate cancer and depression by raising awareness and funds for The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australian and beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Each year in Australia, 1 in 11 men will develop prostate cancer before they are 70, and close to 3,000 men will die. In Australia, 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime - and most of them will not seek help.

Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men's health but there is still much to be done to catch up with the women's health movement. Movember aims to provoke conversation around men's health, with a view to breaking down traditional taboos and habits.

As a result of the 2008 campaign, The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and beyondblue: the national depression initiative, split the funds raised ($8,135,630 each) enabling them to implement a series of important initiatives.

At the end of Movember, a series of Gala Partés are held across Australia (and the world) to thank Mo Bros and Sistas for their fundraising efforts during the month. Mo Bros (dressed to suit their Mo) and Mo Sistas (dressed to suit their Mo Bro) come together to celebrate the Mo and compete for a number of category titles.

You can take part in Movember as an individual or as a team by registering at www.movember.com

Source: Movember