During November, men are challenged to grow a moustache to raise awareness for men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention. Fundraising events are also held during this month, with the proceeds going to the Movember Foundation. The funds this foundation raises goes to research on these issues and support health programs designed for men.
In 15 years, the Movember Foundation has funded more than 1,200 male health projects around the world. Their goal is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely to 25% by 2030. Mr. Richard Rothenberger, a teacher at Riverside Secondary, says he thinks Movember is important. “It draws attention to serious men’s health issues. I think men are taught to ‘suck it up’. That’s why Movember is important. It attracts attention and makes people more aware,” said Rothenberger.
I think men are taught to ‘suck it up’. That’s why Movember is important. It attracts attention and makes people more aware.
Mr. Richard Rothenberger
According to us.movember.com, men die an average of six years younger than women, often because of preventable reasons. The Movember Foundation (which is the only global charity that focuses entirely on men’s health) raises awareness for these issues and supports them with fundraising.
“There’s just something inherent in being a guy. We’ll jump on board with anybody else’s issues. We tend to herald other people’s causes more than our own,” said Rothenberger. “I think Movember is a lot of fun; I get on board with it every year.”
The Movember movement originally started in 2003 in Australia and has now become a global movement that people all around the world partake in. Together, people are making a difference.
