The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.
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 grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men's health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.
The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia. The plan was simple - to bring the moustache back as a bit of a joke and do something for men's health. No money was raised in 2003, but the guys behind the Mo realized the potential a moustache had in generating conversations about men's health.
Inspired by the women around them and all they had done for breast cancer, the Mo Bros set themselves on a course to create a global men's health movement.
In 2004 the campaign evolved and focused on raising awareness and funds for the number one cancer affecting men - prostate cancer. 432 Mo Bros joined the movement that year, raising $55,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia - representing the single largest donation they had ever received.
The Movember moustache has continued to grow year after year, expanding to Canada, the US, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Finland.
In 2009, global participation of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas climbed to 255,755, with over one million donors raising $47 Million for Movember's global beneficiary partners. We are proud to announce that last year's Canadian campaign was the second largest in the world behind Australia, with 35,156 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas coming together to raise $7.8 million for Prostate Cancer Canada.
The funds raised through Movember's Canadian campaign go directly to Prostate Cancer Canada which enables them to fund vital research that will led to better screening tests and treatment options and to run support services for men surviving prostate cancer.
The other significant outcome of the Movember campaign is the awareness of prostate cancer and our men's health messages we are collectively generating. Men of all ages are not only listening, they are acting on this messaging and taking positive action with their own health, diet, exercise and lifestyle. We recently surveyed the Movember community and found that because of their involvement in Movember, 39% of the Mo Bros sought medical advice, whilst a further 36% encouraged someone else to seek medical advice.
The success of Movember can be directly attributed to the more than 627,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas who have supported our cause since 2003. Movember is sincerely grateful for their efforts and appreciate all they do.
For those of you new to Movember- we challenge you to join us in changing the face of men's health.
