Movember 

Movember (a portmanteau of the Australian-English diminutive word for moustache, “mo”, and “November”) is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as depression in men, prostate cancer and other male cancers, and associated charities. The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at movember.com. The goal of Movember is to “change the face of men’s health.”

By encouraging men (whom the charity refers to as “Mo Bros”) to get involved, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has run Movember events to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer and depression, in Australia and New Zealand . In 2007, events were launched in Ireland, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Spain, the United Kingdom, Israel, South Africa, Taiwan and the United States. As of 2011, Canadians were the largest contributors to the Movember charities of any nation. In 2010, Movember merged with the testicular cancer event Touchback.

While I wont be growing a moustache for November, as I’ve always found them to be fairly unattractive on men (facial hair is something I can take or leave, though some men are very attractive with a bit of scruff or a well groomed beard and moustache), this charity seems to be very worthwhile. In 2012, the Global Journal listed Movember as one of the world’s top 100 NGOs (non-government organization). Remember, that testicular exams are best administered when the scrotum is loosest, preferably after a hot shower, and if you can have a buddy help you, it can be quite fun and possibly lead to other activities.