The month of November is usually cold and grey, and most Canadians are still in denial of winter's arrival. Thankfully, there is a month-long charitable event keeps spirits lifted: .
Movember is an initiative that was startedÌýin 2003Ìýby twoÌýAustralian men andÌýa group of 30 friends, and has now grown to over 4 million participants around the world. The goal is simple: help accelerate healthcare outcomes for men living with prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues through awareness, education and research. What they do to reach this goal is also simple: men begin with a clean shaven face on the first day of November, and for the rest of the month they must grow and groom a moustache (also known as a 'mo').
As many know, a change in a man's facial grooming habits is often a conversation point. The MovemberÌýFoundation asks men to use this to their advantage by creating conversations about men's health, and to create engaging and fun campaigns to collect donations for the cause. Their methods have proven to be effective—Ìýthe Movember community has raised $574 million to date, and has funded over 800Ìýprograms in 21 countries.
Entrepreneurial moustaches
The original 'MoÌýBros and Sistas' from Australia were true entrepreneurs. They had an idea about how to solve a big, real problem, and fostered innovation and creativity to develop one of the top ranked non-governmental organizations (NGO) in the world. With the entrepreneurial spirit of the campaign still intact, it makes sense that a group of Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) candidates have joined forces to help change the face of men's health.
'' resisted the urge to pick up their razors this month, and some truly embraced their lip sweaters. Conrad's Mo SistasÌýsupported the men throughout the campaign by providing a variety of treats for a bake sale, and the MBET Gentlemen also provided coffee and Montreal bagels to those who contributed to their Movember campaign. With these efforts and donations from Conrad faculty, staff, and students, the MBET Gentlemen raised $1,225.Ìý
Here is what some of the MBET Gentlemen had to say about their Movember experience:
They mo'd like pros
Some grew in faster, some grew in thicker, but all of the MBET Gentlemen sported their mo like a pro. Here are a few snapshots of what it looks like to go from baby-faced to... not so baby-faced.Ìý
The MBET Ladies flaunted a cookie moustache, too!
The MBET Gentlemen also provided some tips and inspiration about how to mo like a pro . until November 30, the last day for men all across the world to bask in the glory of their journey.