Movember

Movember

The "mo" is slang for moustache. "Movember" challenges men, in the month formerly known as "November," 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 grow and groom 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 Prostate Cancer Canada.

The Pink Ribbon Campaign has empowered women to be proactive with their health, reminding women to do DIY breast examinations. My hope for Movember is for men to share the comraderie the Pink Ribbon Campaign has brought women.

As men grow their mo's they are reminded daily throughout Movember, everytime they look in the mirror or have an unusual itch under their nose, why they are participating in this fundraiser. Men of all ages must take positive action with their own health, diet, exercise and lifestyle, with annual check-ups.

Movember was born in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, partly as a joke to grow moustaches. In doing so, the guys involved were surprised at all the discussion generated surrounding men's health, by simply sporting a mo. 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.

As a woman supporting Movember, I am called a Mo Sista; women can register for this charity as well. 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.

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

Ms. Janik