Archive:Movember Gala Parté 2009
Contents
What is Movember?
(Excerpt from the official website)
Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues - specifically prostate cancer.
The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia. The guys behind it joked about 80s fashion and decided it was time to bring the moustache back. In order to justify their Mos (Australian slang for moustache), they used their new looks to raise money for prostate cancer research… never dreaming that facial hair would ultimately lead to a global movement that would get men talking about a taboo subject – their health.
A Mo Bro starts Movember – the month formerly known as November – clean shaven, and grows a moustache all month long, garnering support from friends and family in the form of donations. What’s more, a Mo Bro is a walking billboard for the cause as his new look opens the door for him to talk about prostate cancer – making the moustache a symbol, much like the pink ribbon is for breast cancer. Each Movember culminates in a Gala Partè in major cities around the globe where Mo Bros dress up to match their Mo, channeling the likes of Tom Selleck, Ghandi and Ron Burgundy, vying for the ultimate accolade: Man of Movember.
While growing a Mo is left to the guys, Mo Sistas (women who support their guys) form an important part of Movember by recruiting Mo Bros, helping to raise funds and attending the highly anticipated Gala Partés.
The money raised in Canada goes directly to Prostate Cancer Canada. Prostate Cancer Canada will use the money raised by Movember for the development of programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy, support of those affected, and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.
In 2008 the Movember campaign in Canada raised $2.4 million making it the largest charity event for men. Significantly, awareness of men’s health issues has improved with Movember helping to spread important health messages directly to thousands of Mo Bros & Sistas.
We challenge you to join us in changing the face of men's health.
For further information, visit The Movember Foundation.
Also, WIKI summerizes some topics about Movember
Be a MO Bro or MO Sista
Those blessed MO Bros can grow facial hair to make a nice MO (moustache) for a big fun. MO sistas are also welcome to be a member to share some fun. We have it but it doesn't show up except when we have some latte.
Joining the team is easy! got to MOnstrosities and register!
As a MO Bros/MO Sista, you'll gain an awareness of prostate cance and raise some fund to donate to prostate cancer research.
You don't have to fiddle around with cash - simply tell people to check the website below.
Donate to team MOnstrosities
While grwoing MO is much fun, you may have a very deep thought about the facial hair thingy. No problem, you can still be a big part of MOvember by simply donating to team MOnstrosities. If this is what you wish, go to Donation Page and make a donation! There's no minimum amount. Donate whatever you're confortable with - like 2 bucks! You can donate online with credit card or paypal (preferred), or if you don't have an access to either, you can deposit cash to me and I will take care of it. All the donation is tax deducible.
Movember 2009 Gala Parté
Movember 26th 8:30-late @Fortune Sound Club (147 East Pender)
The end of Movember is marked across Canada (and around the world) with a series of Gala Partés. These are held to thank Mo Bros and Sistas for joining the fight and helping to raise awareness and funds for men’s health.
Mo Bros (dressed to suit their Mo) and Mo Sistas (dressed to suit their Mo Bro) come together for one night to show off their moustache growing efforts, celebrate the Mo and compete for a number of title accolades – including Best Mo in Character, Miss Movember and, of course, Man of Movember 2009.
Here're some photos from 2008.
There seems to be at least one other event in DT Vancovuer.
Movemeber 27th 9:00-late @THE CAPRICE: MOVEMBER GALA PARTE
Some facts
- The most common cancer among Canadian men - it will afflict 1 in 6 men and is a greater threat for those with a family history of the disease.
- a man is 35% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Turning up in men in their 40s.
- Going to be diagnosed in about 25,500 men this year, not including cases that go undiagnosed due to men's unwillingness to go for annual check-ups.
- Develops as a result of dietary, environmental and heredity factors (more research is needed to identify its causes and prevent the disease).
- New, preliminary research suggests pharmaceuticals may help prevent prostate cancer in men at high risk of the disease.
- Often without symptoms in its earliest, most curable stage (cure rates of 95% or better) – making annual testing ever more important.
- Treated by surgery, radiation and hormone therapy (among other treatments).
- Thought to be a potentially preventable cancer in many cases, but more research is needed.
Prostate Cancer Canada and Prostate Cancer Foundation (US)
The Face of Men’s Health
By and large, men are known to be more apathetic towards their health, especially when compared with the efforts of women, who proactively and publicly address their health issues in a way not traditionally seen with men. The result today is that the levels of awareness, understanding, and funding that support cancers affecting men lag significantly behind causes such as breast and cervical cancers.
Statistics show that, on average, men die at a younger age than women – the average life expectancy for men is five years less than women (presently 77 compared to 82). That said, despite lagging behind the women’s health movement, the tides are beginning to turn and established taboos and barriers relating to men’s health are gradually being broken down.
In order to close the gap between the state of men and women’s health, more progress needs to be made. Men are much less likely to make and keep up with doctor appointments, thereby denying them the chance of early detection and effective treatment of common diseases. Studies have shown that men don’t get regular health checks for the following reasons:
- Scared it will lead to a hospital visit
- Embarrassed to discuss their health issues
- Find it too hard to see a doctor because they just can’t fit it into their schedule
- Just can’t be bothered making an appointment
The reasons for the poor state of men’s health in Canada and around the world are numerous and complex but what is known, is that it is mainly due to a lack of awareness of the health issues men face. This can largely be attributed to the reluctance of men to openly discuss the subject due to longstanding traditions, coupled with an ‘it’ll be alright’ attitude.
Movember aims to change the face of men’s health and alter this way of thinking by putting a fun twist on this serious issue. Using the moustache as a catalyst, we want to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to talk about their health more openly.
Movember has an interest in all issues relating to men’s health but currently concentrates its efforts in Canada on raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer. All the funds raised by Movember in Canada go directly to our beneficiary partner - Prostate Cancer Canada.
Movember's first campaign objective is to raise awareness of men's health issues, specifically prostate cancer. We want everyone to know that men over the age of 50, and those over 40 with a family history, are at risk of prostate cancer and encourage them to be tested annually because it is highly curable if detected and treated early.
Movember’s aim is to increase early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment, as this will ultimately reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer.
The month formerly known as November is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.
