Grow a Mo this Movember, and you can help stop men dying too young.
Trucker, regent or connoisseur – no matter the shape or style of your Mo, your face can inspire donations, conversations and real change. More than just follicles on your face, your Mo is a ribbon – reminding people in your life of the importance of men’s health.
During the month formerly known as November, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across South Africa will be rallying to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
“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 licence from the Global Movember Foundation.
According to the 2014 National Cancer Registry, the lifetime risk for prostate cancer in South African men is one 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 lives every day locally.
The Men’s Foundation aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by 2030.
“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,” he said.
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 and prioritisation through the media and the public at large, .
“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:
• GROWING A MO? Get it right – There are only a few rules for Movember, but they’re vital.
Rule 1: Start clean-shaven on 1 Movember.
Rule 2: No beards, no goatees. We’re all about the Mo.
Set your sights on a Mo style. Are you confident you can outdo Hulk Hogan himself? Or shooting for a modest Wisp? Your moustache is your hairy billboard for the month of Movember, so get a little creative. Sacrifice a beard, dye your Mo, auction it off to the highest donor: the more eyes on your Mo, the better.
• 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.
• VIEW – Visit www.movember.com for fundraising ideas for your community, workplace, sports club, university or school as to how you can ‘Have Fun while Doing Good’ this Movember in support of men’s health.
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.
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