Grow a moustache this Movember to take a stand for men’s health
The Men’s Foundation aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by 2030.
Movember season has officially opened on November 1.
The month of November is formerly known as Movember, when Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across SA rally to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
The Men’s Foundation wants men to do what they do best, which is to grow a moustache, to move throughout November or to host fun moments.
According to the Men’s Foundation, globally, one man takes his own life every minute, of every day. This Movember men are asked to make a move for such men.
“We have to make a stand to stop men dying too young,” said Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men’s Foundation, which grows and grooms the Movember campaign in South Africa under license from the Global Movember Foundation.
“Trucker, regent or connoisseur – no matter the shape or style of your moustache, your face can inspire donations, conversations and real change. More than just follicles on your face, your moustache is a ribbon, reminding people in your life of the importance of men’s health.”
According to the 2014 National Cancer Registry, the lifetime risk for prostate cancer in South African men is 1 in 19. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15 to 39. Poor mental health leads to 14 men taking their own life every day locally.
“Men die an average six years younger than women and for reasons that are largely preventable. When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk. Men need to have open conversations about their health and take action. If something doesn’t feel right, go to the doctor and get tested,” said Gsell.
Gsell believes that there is a long way to go before men are fully engaged with key issues relating to their health.
“This means funding research into prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. It also means equipping men with the facts and information so that they can take action on their health.
“Gender is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of health. For men, this is not good news. This has received little national, regional or global acknowledgement or attention from health policy-makers or healthcare providers.”
He said that funding for men’s health in South Africa requires continued destigmatisation through media and the public at large, as well as prioritisation.
“The reality is that government funding primarily focuses on women, children and the elderly, leaving a lot to be desired for all South African men from all walks of life, and for our funding. We are left to rely on the private and corporate sector for help in funding our programmes.”
All funds raised will go to research and survivor programmes linked to men’s health in South Africa.
The rules
No matter how you’re doing Movember, get yourself going on the right foot:
- Rule 1: Start clean-shaven on November 1.
- Rule 2: No beards, no goatees.
- Move: Commit to walking or running 60 kilometres over the month. That’s 60 kilometres for the 60 men we lose globally to suicide each hour.
- Host: Raise funds by doing what you already get a kick out of. Get your friends together for a Mo-ment.
Visit movember.com for fundraising ideas for your community, workplace, sports club, university or school.
To sign up or get more Movember tips, visit www.movember.com or download the Movember app on your mobile device. Follow Movember on social media: @MovemberRSA on Twitter or facebook/MovemberSouthAfrica.
* The Movember Foundation is the leading global men’s health charity, funding over 1 200 projects in 21 countries worldwide – focused on men’s health initiatives, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
Since 2010, over R25 million has been raised and funded towards awareness, education and survivorship and research programmes developed in South Africa through local Movember efforts.
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