The 11th Month of the Year: Movember
“Our fathers, partners, brothers, and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.” (Movember, 2021)
Movember is the time of year when people work together as a team to combat some of the biggest problems that men face today: mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Money is raised by participants who choose to either grow a moustache, move for Movember, or host a Mo-ment. Regardless of the medium you choose; all the donations are going to the leading charity that is constantly changing the face of men’s health.
A few years ago, I decided to embark on my Mo journey. It was a scary, yet exciting time for several reasons. I was ecstatic to sign up, create a page and start looking for donations to this great cause. I knew that with this platform, I could make a difference in an area that impacts everybody daily. I knew that if I raised $10 or $500, it was going to a charity that will spend it wisely, with the best intentions for men’s health. Although I was excited to raise money and start my Mo journey, I was horrified about the moustache I was able to grow. I knew from previous experience, that it was bound to be a beautiful blonde colour, with uneven sides resulting in facial hair that not even a mother could love. But I knew that there were far worse things to deal with than a patchy Stache, so I decided to muster the courage and commit on my first month long mission with Movember.
Fast-forward a few years, and I am preparing for a new month of Movember by writing a blog about my experiences with the foundation. First and foremost, I want to amplify the fact that you will get donations from people you don’t even know. Over the years I have been astonished to get donations from people I have never spoken too and that speaks to the character of the people who support this charity. Additionally, I have learned that raising money and participating in Movember is contagious to your friends and family. The more passionate you are in your Mo updates, the more inclined your friends and family will be in terms of donations and even creating their own accounts. Finally, I have found it very fun to challenge myself by setting higher goals each year for donations so that it can fuel the competitive edge that most of us have.
Above all, it is important to raise awareness about men’s health and to donate if you are able. I hope that sharing some of my personal experiences can shed light on the whole Movember movement and encourage you to make your own accounts and join myself, and many others on the journey. I wish you all a great Movember filled with fun, happiness, and most importantly, health!
Stay tuned on all socials for an announcement that you won’t want to miss. An unlikely collaboration is in the works!
If you would like to see the progress of my personal Mo, feel free to click the link below.
By: Reed Culley
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