Movember is coming to a close, but the conversation doesn’t need to end

Wednesday marks the end of Movember, the yearly moustache-growing fundraiser that raises money for prostate cancer and men’s health.

The initiative, which sees people grow moustaches through the month of November, also raises awareness about early detection.

The development director for Movember Canada says that this year, the money raised by the organization is going toward prostate and testicular cancers.

You’re within a whisker of the finish line. It’s time to dig deep, push through & make the last 2 days of the hairy season count. It’s time to hustle those last-minute donations. Make a real difference to men’s lives this Movember. pic.twitter.com/WxPa8fb5ke

— Movember Canada (@MovemberCA) November 28, 2022

“In Canada, 75 per cent of suicides are by men, one in eight men get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Testicular cancers [are the] most common cancer for younger men, and so the money raised this year is going to be going towards those,” Mitch Hermansen said.

“In the past we’ve funded things in prostate cancer and testicular cancer, men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and sadly, these are causes that still need attention,” he added.

In a recent study, a survey by the website HeadsUpGuys found that nearly half of Canadian men score above the threshold for probable major depression.

Founder of HeadsUpGuys, and UBC Psychiatry professor, Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, says the findings point to a “crisis” in the workplace.

“We see that suicide is actually the second-leading cause of death for men under 50. It’s truly shocking,” he told CityNews.

Where the money goes

Movember Canada says that over the years, the initiative has funded the development of 54 inventions, and 107 diagnostic tests for prostate cancer.

Dr. Mike Fraser, the director of cancer program implementation for Movember, says that the fundraiser has invested more than $100 million into prostate cancer research in Canada since 2007.

Although Hermansen says the organization doesn’t have any firm numbers yet, it looks like they’re on pace to at least match last year’s totals.

“It’s always really hard to tell,” Hermansen said. “Last year, though, I can say we had about $23 million raised, and we’re pretty much on track for that.”

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He says that the funds raised wouldn’t have been possible without the support of individuals across the country.

“Another huge effort by Canadians supporting raising funds for these important causes.”

Over the month, participants also took part in the “Move for Movember” event, by pledging to run or walk 60 kilometres for the month, or through the “Mo Your Own Way,” a choose-your-own adventure challenge.

Although the hairy month is coming to a close, the work to raise awareness continues year-round.

For example, the B.C. Fire Fighter Resiliency program is a four-day retreat that helps first responders address the trauma they experience on the job.

With files from Greg Bowman