The mustache is in the spotlight again this year during the month of November, but behind this hair style which is not always unanimous, hides a much greater cause: the Movember movement.
Where the movement comes from, how to participate and why you should wear a mustache: here’s everything you need to know about Movember.
Where was the Movember movement born?
The movement was born in 2003 in Australia, when two friends set out to bring the mustache back into fashion, by convincing around thirty men to grow theirs throughout the month of November.
The following year, they decided to attach a cause to their movement, collecting the equivalent of $50,468 in donations for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) with the help of 480 participants.
How much has Movember raised since it started?
The movement took an international turn, spreading first to New Zealand in 2006, then to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Spain in 2007. No less than 20 countries participated in 2023.
According to the latest data, Movember has raised more than $1.6 billion since 2003, in addition to having funded more than 1,320 men’s health projects thanks to more than 6.8 million participants.
Courtesy: Movember
Movember au Canada
In Canada alone, the Movember movement raised more than $25.4 million in donations, 80.8% of which was reinvested in various men’s health programs, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, health mental health and suicide prevention.
Men’s health: a taboo to break
If the Movember movement has found international resonance, it is because it responds to a major challenge by wanting to break the taboos surrounding male illnesses, which are still considered a form of “weakness” among many, noted AFP last year.
This is why typically male diseases, such as testicular or prostate cancer, urinary problems, or even erectile problems, are often diagnosed late. But this can complicate “care,” Alexandre de la Taille, president of the French urology association, told AFP.
Same story when it comes to mental health issues, which cause the death of 60 men per hour worldwide, according to Movember data.
In France, men represent no less than 75% of deaths by suicide, the French branch of the organization.
Why wear a mustache?
Those wishing to raise funds for men’s health can get involved by getting a clean shave on November 1st, then growing a mustache throughout the month, by organizing their own campaign via the Movember website.
The advantage of this symbol that the “Mo” has become is also that it attracts attention, which allows “important conversations to start,” according to the organizers.
How else can you participate?
For those who can’t grow a mustache, there are three other ways to participate in Movember:
1- Travel 60 kilometers during the month
In memory of the 60 men who take their own lives every hour around the world, Movember invites participants to cover 60 kilometers during the month, on foot or by running. The challenge can be completed alone or in a team, on foot or by running.
Credit – stock.adobe.com
2- Select your challenge
Breaking a personal best, giving up social media for a month, cycling to the office every day: all the reasons are good to raise funds for Movember.
Those who want to take on another challenge during the month of November can also create their own campaign to share with those around them to collect donations.
3- Organize your own event
In the same vein, Movember offers those who wish to organize their own events under the banner of the organization to raise funds, by establishing an objective
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