Movember Article

(Adapted from the information written by Mrs. Janik. I want to make sure she has appropriate credit.)

Moustaches for Men’s Health

Everyone knows that November is the eleventh month of the year, but how many people have heard of Mo-vember? Thanks to Mrs. Janik and a group of brave male teachers who volunteered to grow moustaches to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health, Stamford has been doing its part to spread the word about this increasingly well-known charity event.

A combination of words “mo” (slang for moustache) and November, “Movember” challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men's health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple: start Movember 1st clean shaven, and then commit to grow a moustache for the entire month of Movember.

The moustache becomes the "ribbon" for men's health, the means by which awareness and money are raised for the number one cancer affecting men, prostate cancer, and given directly to Prostate Cancer Canada.

Movember originated in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, partly as a joke to grow moustaches. In doing so, the men involved were surprised at all the discussion generated surrounding men's health, simply by sporting a moustache. Inspired by the Pink Ribbon Campaign, the original Mo Bros set themselves on a path to create a global health movement. Movember now takes place in Australia, Canada, USA, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Finland.

“The Pink Ribbon Campaign has empowered women to be proactive with their health, reminding women to do DIY breast examinations,” says Mrs. Janik. “My hope for Movember is for men to share the camaraderie the Pink Ribbon Campaign has brought women. As men grow their moustaches they are reminded daily throughout Movember, every time they look in the mirror or have an unusual itch under their nose, why they are participating in this fundraiser.”

Women can register for this charity as well. “As a woman supporting Movember, I am called a Mo Sista,” Mrs. Janik explains. “It is important for us women to support our Mo Bros with fundraising, just like they have supported us throughout the years by wearing pink ribbons.” Joining Mrs. Janik as Mo Sistas are Mrs. Barette, Mrs. Devitt, and Ms. Hunter.

To date, Stamford has raised a total of $1030, with more donations expected to come in throughout the rest of Movember. Among the male teachers participating are Mr. Azzopardi, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Gittins, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Hurtubise, Mr. Kamminga, Mr. Martin, Mr. McBurney, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Taylor.

To register, or to financially support Team Stamford Collegiate this Movember, go to http://ca.movember.com.

Special thanks to Mrs. Janik, whose information provided the basis for this article, for all the time and effort she has been into organizing Stamford’s team for the fundraiser and raising awareness.