By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — It’s not unusual to see men with beards and moustaches this time of year, since many individuals choose to keep their whiskers for added winter warmth. But for a select local group, growing a little extra facial hair is their way of raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues.
“Momentum Aroostook has brought Movember to the County. Each year during the month of November, a worldwide event known as Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the U.S. and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital awareness and money for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer,” said Rachel Rice, member of Momentum’s Steering Committee.
Several individuals have signed up for the challenge, which kicked off on Nov. 1 with participants clean-shaven.
“For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives — Mo Sistas — Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts,” explained Rice.
Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November.
Rice said through their actions and words, they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.
“At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partes held around the world by Movember,” said Rice.
The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and two health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The three channels work together to ensure that Movember funds support a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with strategic goals of awareness and education, survivorship and research, said Rice.
“A few of the Steering Committee members of Momentum Aroostook stumbled onto Movember last year, but it was too late to join in. We have been patiently waiting for November 2012 to arrive so that we could sponsor a Movember event here in the County,” Momentum Aroostook Steering Committee Chair Scott Violette said.
“This is an excellent opportunity to support a cause, by raising money and awareness, for an issue that is not often discussed, plus have some fun and potentially look ridiculous,” said Violette, who took up the challenge and is well past the 5 o’clock shadow stage with his moustache.
Violette said at the end of the month, “we will have a gala event where people can get dressed up, show off their moustaches, network with others and enjoy a night out.”
“It will also be a great way to push for those final donations and give out some awards for the best and worst moustaches,” Violette said.
For more information on Momentum Aroostook, visit www.momentumaroostook.com. To learn more about Momentum Movember, go to www.movember.com.
