As December starts, it’s time to shave off that greasy moustache. Although it may not have looked the best, at least it was for a good cause.
Lethbridge College wrapped up its Movember fundraiser on Nov. 30.
The Movember movement was created in 2003 to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer research.
The organization has grown in popularity and the Lethbridge College Students’ Association continues to do its part in raising funds.
It was a little different this year, with fewer students on campus and more moustaches covered up by masks.
Tanner Marcer, LCSA event organizer, says he’s loved taking part in Movember ever since he arrived at the college and the LCSA wanted to carry on what the event has always been about.
“It’s about recruiting people to donate, encouraging people to get checked and finding new and innovative ways for people to donate and contribute.”
The LCSA had to adapt to COVID-19, changing the way donations were traditionally raised.
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“We have moved to an online donation format, we’re getting people to submit videos of themselves doing push-ups and then we’re going to donate a dollar to Movember for every 10 push-ups we receive,” says Marcer.
There’s a reason the movement has gained so much popularity over the years, it’s because it hits close to home for so many people.
Frank Zappone, Lethbridge College occupational health and safety team lead, says he started doing Movember as a way to remember his father.
“It was a very simple decision for me. My dad passed away in 2005 due to prostate cancer and it was on Dec. 1. Then I found out about this Movember that was happening during the month of November and I thought what a perfect way to remember my dad.”
The organization started focusing on prostate cancer research and now raises awareness for testicular cancer and men’s mental health initiatives.
It’s this evolution of the movement that Zappone loves and why he thinks it’s a great cause to participate in.
“It started out with just prostate cancer, but it’s expanded. They’re now looking at the mental health of men and moving on to bigger things regarding men and issues they may have and I think it’s a worthwhile cause.”
According to Movember’s website, the organization has funded over 1,200 men’s health initiatives.
Since 2003, Movember has raised over $1 billion worldwide with over 22 million people donating.
The organization’s next goal is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by the year 2030.
For those that are unsure about growing a moustache, Zappone urges others to do it anyway.
Zappone says it doesn’t matter what a person’s moustache looks like, it’s about having fun and raising money and the key is not to take it too seriously.
“Have fun with it. It’s for a serious cause, but I think you have to lighten the mood a little. I’ve done some fancy stuff with my moustache. I’ve dyed it darker on the sides and I’ve left it grey in the middle just to see if anyone would notice. I think the message is to have a fun way of trying to raise money for a good cause.”
