STORY BY ROSS ANDERSEN
Across campus, students are putting down the razor and growing moustaches.
The Movember movement is underway, and students are ready to participate.
During moustache month men around the world raise money for men’s health research.
“It’s a way for men to support a cause, similarly as women would for breast cancer,” said Karson Neilly, a first-year Paralegal student.
Movember isn’t limited to men – all genders can participate through physical activity.
“The move challenge is for people to set a goal to commit 30 minutes to daily exercise through November,” explained Andrew Staples, Sheridan student advisor, and Movember ambassador.
Movember Canada is aiming to beat last year’s total of $24.1 million raised in Canada alone.
Travis Garone and Luke Slattery started Movember in 2003 challenging each other to grow a moustache. The charity was born as more people participated.
“Typically men don’t talk about their health, so Movember is in place to kick the stigma that surrounds men’s health,” said Staples.
The foundation has grown from 30 members, to an average of 720,000 members.
“It’s important for people to understand Movember isn’t just an excuse to grow a moustache, but to learn about the cause,” said Neilly.
The moustache is a symbol throughout the month, showing people you’re participating in the cause.
“The moustache is meant to be a conversation starter, to talk about the personal why, the causes that are funded, and ways you can prevent or detect these cancers early on,” said Enrique Ponce, executive vice-president at Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus.
The Sheridan Student Union will be showcasing a Movember themed menu at The Den and The Marquee throughout the month, where $1 of each item sold will be donated to the foundation.
The purpose of Movember is to raise awareness about men’s mental and physical health, most importantly prostate cancer.
“Our goal is for men to live longer, healthier and happier lives,” said Tyler Small, manager of community engagement for Movember.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among Canadian men, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, taking the lives of 4,100 Canadian men annually.
“We encourage students to discuss the importance of men’s health through campus,” said Small.
The Movember foundation is entering its 14th year. The non governmental-organization (NGO) has raised more than $675 million worldwide.
“Last year, Canadian students alone raised $2 million,” said Small.
Movember is ranked 72 in the world’s top NGO, according to The Global Journal.
Statistics show that three in four deaths by suicide are done by men.
“One in five men experience poor mental health, so it’s important we address those issues,” said Staples.
The SSU is holding a Movember gala on Nov. 27, in effort to raise funds for Movember.
“This is my fourth year fundraising, so these events are very important to me,” said Ponce. “I’ve been planning since the summer.”
Sheridan students can create teams of four to six students for the gala. The team that raises the most money will win a night out to a Toronto Raptors game in January, dinner and limo included.
Students play an important role in terms of fundraising and spreading the word.
“You can truly start a global movement through an idea,” said Small.
For more information email tyler.small@movember.com.