MOVE IT OR LOSE IT
Movember’s new challenge for Mo Bros & Mo Sistas.
Over the past 13 years, the success of Movember has grown internationally and exponentially — starting in Australia and expanding into 21 countries, it is now the leading global men’s health charity. Every year, Movember invests millions in projects addressing prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health, and physical inactivity. Last year over 700,000 people participated globally, raising $100 million. To date, Movember has raised $676 million worldwide, $175 million of which was raised right here in Canada.
Movember is perhaps best known for encouraging men to grow a moustache during November, while raising both awareness of and funds for programs dedicated to improving the quality of men’s lives.
Movember owes a great deal of its success to the hundreds of thousands of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas who have dedicated their time to fundraise for the cause. Eighty-three cents of every dollar raised is directly allocated to men’s health programs, and this year there are even more ways to get involved.
MOVE for men’s health
Movember has a reputation for facing grave issues with a positive manner.
“At Movember, we often say that our Trojan horse is fun,” says Jesse Hayman, Director of Community Engagement at Movember. “We use fun to do good.”
This year Movember has launched a new way to fundraise for men’s health. MOVE is a fitness challenge that invites Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to commit to taking part in some type of physical activity every day for thirty days. Whether it is a lighthearted game of pingpong with friends or an intensive 30day yoga challenge, no move is too big or too small.
“We know that one of the best ways for men to live healthier and longer lives is to be physically active,” says Hayman. The World Health Organization has identified physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, and has found that one in four adults is not active enough. Moving on a regular basis can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer by up to 50 percent and lower your risk of early death by up to 30 percent.
Grow, give and move
Movember kicked off on Nov. 1, but it’s not too late to sign up to grow a moustache, take the MOVE challenge, join a team or donate. “We want to ensure that men live healthier, happier and longer lives,” says Hayman.
Head over to movember.com or check them out on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to grow, give, and move for men’s health.