IT'S that time of year again, when the men in our lives raise awareness and funds for the fight against prostate cancer by doing what they do best: grow moustaches.
Held around the world, funds raised in Canada from the cheeky Movember campaign support Prostate Cancer Canada, which raises funds for programs related to awareness, education, advocacy, support and research. Last year's Canadian cam-paign saw approximately 119,000 people participate and raised $22.3 million.
In addition, a large focus of Movember is on increasing awareness of the disease and men's health in general.
According to Prostate Cancer Canada, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, affecting one in seven, and it's a greater threat to those with a family history of the disease. Annual testing is important as the early, most curable, stages of the disease often don't display symptoms.
Among those participating in Movember this year is a team from the North Vancouver City Fire Department.
"It's a very worthy cause so we want to raise awareness about the issue of prostate cancer in men," says David Owens, fire prevention captain. "Men aren't the best people to want to think about that kind of stuff, so it's a good way to raise awareness of the issue and kind of fun to make ourselves look goofy doing it."
Individual firefighters have participated in Movember in the past, but this is their biggest year to date, seeing them put together a team for the first time, IAFF Local 296, comprised of 21 members, including one Mo Sista, a supporter.
When asked whether team members' partners are on board with the ever-growing facial hair, Owens laughs, saying, "Some more than others. Mine not so much. I think the hate is making mine grow faster."
"November 30 is going to be a happy day for a lot of guys," he adds.
To support their fundraising, the fire hall is accepting donations through their fundraising page on the Movember website, as well have organized a raffle with tickets available at the city's fire hall.
"We just want to raise awareness of the issue and raise some money," says Owens. "There's lots of great work being done around other types of cancer. The women have done a fabulous job on the breast cancer side and I think it's great that the men are getting involved on this side as well."
"It's an issue that we all think about and want to make sure that we take care of ourselves before we get to that point," he adds.
The two other North Shore fire departments are also participating in this year's Movember campaign.
To make a donation or for more information, visit ca.movember.com.
For more information on prostate cancer, visit www.prostatecancer.ca.
