Movember is changing the face of men’s health
This Movember, the month formally known as November, men are growing moustaches for thirty days in effort to inspire real conversations about and raise money for men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s mental health through The Movember Foundation, a global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health.
This Movember, the month formally known as November, men are growing moustaches for thirty days in effort to inspire real conversations about and raise money for men's health issues, in particular prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's mental health through The Movember Foundation, a global organization committed to changing the face of men's health.
The mission is for men to start November 1 clean-shaven and grow their moustache for 30 days, getting friends and family to donate to their moustache-growing efforts through various fundraising events. According to their website, Mo Bros, as the men are called, become "walking, talking, hairy billboards for the cause sparking conversations around the often ignored issue of men's health." Mo Sistas are the women who support their men in their hairy endeavor and help with fundraising and raising awareness. Don't worry, women are not expected to grow their own moustaches. Mo Sistas however can create their own teams and recruit the men in their lives to participate.
What inspired this movement which started in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 was the shocking inequality between men and women when it comes to health outcomes. Recently the World Health Organization stated in a bulletin on men's health, "Health outcomes among men and boys continue to be substantially worse than among girls and women, yet this gender-based inequality in health has received little national, regional or global acknowledgement or attention from health policy-makers or health-care providers."
Men have a shorter life expectancy than women
Did you know that by the end of this year, more than 233,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (Prostate Cancer Foundation) and that 1 in 36 of them (about 29. 480 men) will die from it (American Cancer Society)? Each year, there are also 8,820 new cases of testicular cancer diagnosed (American Cancer Society). Mental health issues are another growing concern for men. According to National Vital Statistic Reports, in 2010, a total of 38, 364 Americans died by suicide and over three-quarters (79%) of these suicides were men.
Here in our country, men's average life expectancy is almost five years less than women (National Center for Health Statistics). The question is why?
It could be because men are less likely to be open to discussing their health concerns and other stressors in their lives. While October has become the month of the pink ribbon and of raising awareness about breast cancer, the Movember Foundation wants November to be the month of the moustache so that men's health issues are addressed as well.
Their hope is to increase understanding of health risks men face, encourage men to take action to remain healthy, and to ensure that they take proper action when they do become sick.
Philly's Home Grown Moustaches
Here in the Philadelphia area, we have our own home grown Mo Bros taking up the stache for the cause.
Chris Geschke is a local Mo Bro and testicular cancer survivor. He knows personally how important it is for men to feel comfortable talking about their bodies and health concerns.
"I was diagnosed in April 2009 with Stage 1 nonseminomas testicular cancer. It was a quick diagnosis and treatment," Geschke said
He had just gotten back from a trip to San Diego when during a routine self-exam in the shower he noticed that something was wrong. "The texture was different and luckily I knew immediately to be concerned," he said.
After talking to his brother, he went to see his doctor and everything moved quickly from there. The same day of his ultrasound, he had the surgery. This past April, he was 5 years cancer free.
"The reason why Movember is so important is that men shouldn't be embarrassed to talk about their bodies," he said. "Self-education and body awareness are key to early detection. Luckily in my family and in school, they were emphasized."
This is Geschke's sixth year with Movember. When asked about reactions to his moustache, he said. "I don't grow a great one, but I usually get some good laughs from it. After six years, people now know why I am doing it."
"Each year I try to emulate an old photo. This year, it is a photo of my dad from the seventies and last year it was an old picture of my grandfather. I try to have some fun with it," he added.
While he has fun grooming his moustache, Geschke takes the message of Movember very seriously. He hopes more men realize that it is okay to discuss illness and cancer and that they become more open in sharing their concerns and questions.
"Doing a self-exam once a month only takes a minute, but it could save your life," he explained.
A friend of Geschke's, CJ Walsh is also a Mo Bro and very active in Philly Movember events. He is also involved with the LIVESTRONG Foundation which supports the Movember Foundation.
"With my brother, Michael and our network of young professionals called Team I Hate Cancer, we have raised over 200,000 dollars through both Movember and LIVESTRONG," he said.
"We see young professionals in high stress environment and know that it is hard. We want them to know that there is help out there. It is important for men to take care of their own health."
"Women go to the gynecologist once a year, but men don't tend to get regular checkups," he added. "Why? Men are stubborn, busy, feel invincible… But now with better access to clinics and health insurance, there is no reason to not get a physical, and that is all we really want."
Walsh and his brother recently worked with STARR Restaurants on the local kickoff of Movember on October 30 at Frankford Hall and will be partnering with them again on December 2 at Frankford Hall for the closing gala party as well. To stay up to date on all the team's Movember events, visit their facebook page.
When asked if he had any tips for newbie Mo Bros growing their first stache, he said, "Don't fall to peer pressure that a moustache is not cool-looking. Remember that the crazier it looks, the more conversations will come from it."
He also counseled, "Thanksgiving is a great time for conversations with your uncles. Don't let mom tell you that you can't come to dinner with your stache."
On how his own is growing so far, he said, "My moustache is pretty awesome. It is a ginger mo and civil-war era inspired."
When Walsh passes another moustached fellow on the street, there is always an exchange of a subtle nod, acknowledging each other. "Men supporting each other is important," he added.
Upcoming Local Movember Events
While you might have missed the kickoff at Frankford Hall, there are still many Movember events for you to support. On November 10 at 8 p.m. there will be a Philly Phaithful Monday Night Football watch party at their showroom in Northern Liberties. The event is free, but they are asking for a donation of $10 at the door, all of which go to Movember. Space is limited for this, so RSVPS are required. Drop them a line at info@phillyphaithful.com or 1-888-4PHAITH. You can also help them raise funds by registering here.
In Wilmington, Delaware, the Trolley Tap House is hosting a STACHE BASH every Thursday this month. During their Happy Hour specials, they will be donating 15% of the sales to the Movember Foundation.
And also don't miss the Movember Gala Party back at Frankford Hall on December 2.
For a full listing of local Movember events, visit http://us.movember.com/events/search-index