Movember raises over £600

The Movember charity drive has already raised more than £600. Since ‘The Big Shave-Off’ that took place November 1st in the Students’ Union, Warwick ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sistas’ have been supporting Movember: the worldwide initiative to raise awareness and money for the Prostate Cancer Charity. Participants are expected to forego shaving and to grow a moustache during November.

Movember challenges men to change both their own appearances and also the face of men’s health by growing a moustache and, by doing so, raising both funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Charity. The Prostate Cancer Charity aims to support those affected by prostate cancer, fund research programmes and raise awareness of the disease.

The Movember Foundation has also just announced the establishment of a Global Action Plan (GAP). One large international research initiative will be supported by the foundation in order to collaborate on unearthing better tests and treatments for prostate cancer.

Movember began as a small initiative in Australia in 2003 to bring back the moustache ‘as a bit of a joke’ and, in turn, act on raising awareness of men’s health. In 2004 the project expanded to 432 members. Last year 46,000 UK participants raised over £5 million, and globally 255,755 raised over £26 million. In comparison, 105,236 people are so far registered this year, and £3,542,124 has been raised.

“Younger men are key to raising awareness, so it’s very important for students to take part and spread the word,” said Kathryn Smith, the media contact of the Movember Campaign. “Movember is about men’s health in general and getting all men to be more proactive about their own health. Wearing a moustache and using your face as a billboard for awareness is the foundation that Movember is built on.”

“Luckily my birthday is in November, so I asked family and friends to donate to Movember instead. Prostate cancer is such a danger to men, who are very likely to pretend that symptoms aren’t there, especially if they’re unsure what they are” said Students’ Union Sports Officer George Whitworth, who has been involved with Movember for several years now.

John McNamara, President of Warwick Rugby League, commented on the history that Movember and rugby share: “The Australian national team all took part last year, so this year I put the boys up to the task. The lingering eyes in public were rather strange at first, but I’ve gotten used to it. It’s also good seeing a few of the international rugby figures doing it.”

“I think they’ve created a truly one-of-a-kind event,” added Luke Ryan, a third-year Accounting and Finance student, emphasising the need for regular check-ups. “In it’s early stages prostate cancer it has no symptoms. Most male diseases seem to get overlooked, and yet it’s a problem that all men may face at some point in the future.”