Each year, during the month of November, men from all over the country grow a moustache to help raise funds for male health issues.
The moustache has been referred to by many names: stash, tash, crumb catcher, pushbroom, mobile tea strainer and the Mo, hence the term Movember. The growing of the"Mo" has become symbolic with the efforts to bring awareness to male wellness, specifically focusing on prostate cancer.
According to the official Movember website (http://ca.movember.com/about), in 2010 the Canadian campaign raised $22.3 million and the funds all went directly to Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). This year alone, the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca), estimates approximately 93,000 Canadian men will be diagnosed with cancer. Prostate cancer will account for 27 per cent of these new cases.
Nancy Lee and Terri Pijnenburg at the General Store have decided to jump on the fundraising bandwagon and start their own campaign. Sporting Mos that reflect their personalities, these two enthusiastic ladies will have a collection tin at the store for donations until the end of November.
"Men wear pink and run for breast cancer all the time, so why can't we wear mustaches to help out our men it's the least we can do," says Pijnenburg. All funds will be donated to organizations related to male health, and thoughNovember is quickly coming to an end, it's not too late to donate to this very worthy cause.
So, whether you grow a pair of "handlebars" (bushy with small upward pointing ends) or a "toothbrush" (thick but shaved except for an inch in the centre), your "Burt Reynolds" will be in great company with the many men (and a few women) who have dedicated this month to growing a "Dot and Dash." Who knows this may even (to the dismay of some of the wives) spur a new, longer lasting fashion trend.
DEBRA STRINGFELLOW
contributing writer
