Movember has evolved from an idea in 2003 by a group of friends in an Australian pub that resulted in 30 mustaches to a global movement dedicated to improving men’s health which has inspired over 5 million to rock the November mustache. Supporters are called “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas.” The Movember Foundation is committed to helping men live happier, healthier, longer lives.
According to the founders of Movember, “Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends face a health crisis that isn’t being talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.”
Movember has become the leading charity changing the face of men’s health by focusing on four major health issues faced by men that often go undiscussed and underfunded:
Prostate cancer
Testicular cancer
Mental health
Suicide prevention
Why does Movember work?
The Movember Foundation was started by a group of men. They know what men need and what works for men. The program is designed to have both a global and local impact by identifying and supporting the most innovative research. They want to change the way research into men’s health is done and the way health services reach and support men.
The Foundation is independent of government funding and capable of investing quicker in programs that work. In 15 years the Movember Foundation has funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world.
The Foundation believes in transparency. They report on every initiative funded so contributors know where and how their donations are being used and the effect the donations are having on men’s health.
Their present goal is to reduce the number of men around the world who are dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.
The Movember Foundation has established five basic rules to improve men’s health:
1. Make man time - Stay connected. Your friends are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
2. Have open conversations-70% of men say their friends can rely on them for support, but only 48% say that they rely on their friends. In other words: we’re here for our friends, but worried about asking for help for ourselves. Reaching out is crucial.
3. Know the numbers - At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it’s right for you to have a PSA test. If you are African American or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers; know your risk; talk to your doctor.
4. Know your body – all of it -Get to know what’s normal for your testicles. Give them a check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
5. Get moving and whatever you are doing now – move more – it’s simple become active, stay active, get more active – exercise is good for you
Some Movember sponsors to support –
Men’s Warehouse
Jos. A. Banks
Fossil
Omaze – makers of the Movember Foundation’s limited-edition “Rock a Mo. Save A Bro.” tee
Schick Hydro
Sunset (produce)
MasterCard
The NHL
Over 4,000 individuals, including 1,119 NHL players, have participated in Hockey Fights Cancer’s Movember challenge since 2011. This partnership has resulted in 12,422 individual contributions to Movember and collected over $800,000 from hockey players, teams, and fans. Funds raised by Movember in connection with the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative benefit the Movember Foundation and critical programs like Movember's TrueNTH program. Movember's TrueNTH program helps men navigate the prostate cancer journey by “transforming the way they receive care, make informed decisions, manage symptoms, and share their experiences.”
Information for this article was taken from:
https://us.movember.com/about/foundation
https://www.nhlpa.com/be-a-player/in-the-community/movember