Movember in Vancouver 2011

Last day thousands of men around the world shaved one final time before taking a 30-day hiatus from the razor. Movember is back again and your friends, colleagues, brothers, sons, and fathers are growing out their facial hair in exchange for pledges that will support prostate cancer research in their communities.

Back in 2009 I met with Movember’s founder, Adam Garone of Melbourne, who started the campaign with his friends in 2003. Since that time, Movember has grown into a worldwide movement with over 118,000 participants in Canada last year (raising over $22 million). “Of the original group, two of the guys had dads with prostate cancer so we started researching,” Adam told me during our interview. He said they found there was a significant gap in awareness and fundraising for this particular cause at the time.

“Prostate cancer is over 90 per cent curable if detected and treated in its earliest stages. in addition to investing in research, Movember raises awareness and ultimately saves lives. Together we are changing the face of men’s health.” – Steve Jones, CEO and President, Prostate Cancer Canada. About Movember Canada.

Last year, I noticed many more companies getting on board by offering up specials or themed products for Movember participants. Granville Island Brewing is doing a photo contest this year and Rickard’s has mustached beer cans.

There are also prizes available for participants that will awarded at the local parties at the end of the campaign. Vancouver’s wrap-up gala will be December 1, 2011 at the Commodore and there’s a Mo-Off concert at the Biltmore on November 30th with The Matinée, Redbird, and Portage and Main.

Visit Movember Canada to find a team, individual, or make a general donation. If you want to support someone random, I’m going to recommend my pal Gus Fosarolli who has been a “MoBro” for the last three years and is leading his company team this time around. Good luck to all the MoBros and MoSistas (who will watch the wild facial hair grow) over the next month.