From Ged Gove

It’s not a misprint.  It is “Movember” with an “M,” not November with an “N.”

Why?  A “mo” is a moustache in Australia.  Australians are fond of shortening their words (“cuppa” – cup of tea, “mozzie” – mosquito).  Australians claim and receive credit for “selfie.”  “Movember” started in November of 2003 when two mates in Melbourne, Australia, organized an event where 30 men would grow a “mo” or moustache for 30 days to raise awareness of prostate cancer.  Each man paid $10 and the money was sent to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.  Following?  Grow a moustache in November … in Australia, of course, it becomes Movember.

In 2004, the Movember Foundation charity was created; it has since then become the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health by improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health problems.  Movember’s mission is simple: Stop men dying too young.  To raise money for the organization, men grow moustaches in November – therefore, changing their faces. 

I’m a Holliston resident and in 2012, I joined the Movember movement and raised almost $3,000.  I am now a “8 Year Mo,” and thanks to many people’s generosity I’ve been able to raise over $47,000 in my first seven years.  This year my goal is $8,000.  I’m trying to make as many people as possible aware of this very important cause and I’m soliciting your donation through my Movember Web Site at http://mobro.co/ged-gove.

I want to share some important facts:

• Globally, men die 6 years earlier than women. To make it worse, the reasons are largely preventable
• 1 in 9 men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men aged 15-34
• 3 out of 4 suicides in the US are men.  Globally, on average, 1 man dies by suicide every minute of every day

Worldwide, Movember 2018 had 321,975 Mo Bros & Mo Sistas from 21 countries and raised over $70 million for men’s health issues.  The US contributed $17.5 million to that total amount.

I hope you’ll consider donating at:  http://mobro.co/ged-gove