by Ged Gove
11/25/2017

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).  Actually, 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.

In 2012, my company joined the Movember movement and raised over $30,000.  I am now a “6 Year Mo,” and thanks to many people’s generosity I’ve been able to raise over $29,000 in my first five years.  This year my goal is $8,500.  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.  In the US alone:

• One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-34.
• More than three times as many men as women die by suicide each year.
• Movember 2016 raised $16.3 million for men’s health issues.

Worldwide, Movember 2016 had 325,225 Mo Bros & Mo Sistas from 21 countries, and raised $60 million for men’s health issues.

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