Hundreds already raised for men’s health

“The Big Shave Off” took place at the University of Warwick last week as a number of students removed their facial hair for the last time this month.

Movember, a fundraising drive for men’s health charities, has launched at Warwick this month alongside other universities such as Leeds and Cardiff.

“Mo Bros” (the name given to participants of Movember) simply have to go forego shaving for the month of November in the name of raising awareness and money for men’s health issues. Female students got involved too, invited to become “Mo Sistas,” to help support the cause by sporting their own moustache by way of paint or felt tip.

Four days after the start of the campaign £223 had already been raised. Sporting societies such as Warwick Snow, Lacrosse and Men’s Hockey pledged to be a part of the Movember month.

Founded seven years ago in Australia, Movember is a worldwide charity which raises money for causes related to men’s health, in particular addressing depression, prostate and testicular cancer.

Jackie Smyth, the marketing manager in charge of promoting Movember for Warwick Students’ Union (SU) emphasised the importance of Movember in “raising awareness of men’s health issues, and making boys get health check-ups… just as girls do”.

Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK alone and Movember seeks to increase consciousness and understanding of such a problem.

The scheme originated in Melbourne, Australia, where in 2003 a group of friends realised that a moustache, a traditional symbol of masculinity, would be an excellent way to generate conversation about men’s health. The ‘Mo Bros’, as the founders begun to refer to themselves, set the task of creating a whole new global men’s health movement.

The Movember website claims that prostate cancer and other such health issues are often neglected in the mainstream media in comparison to women’s health problems. This in turn exacerbates the medical dilemma, as men become less likely to get regular check-ups. The Movember moustache movement has evolved into a global campaign, becoming active in the U.K., U.S., Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and many other countries from around the world.

In 2009, global participation continued to increase with over twenty-six million pounds being raised in November. Participation and revenue is again expected to increase in 2010.

Masters student Hector Soriano hadn’t shaved for two years before the “Big Shave Off”, but thought that Movember would be the perfect opportunity to show his support for victims of prostate cancer: “For such a worthy cause, I’ve decided to remove my perfect beard.”