Whilst almost everything else has stopped growing, you may notice some hairiness growing on the top lip of a few men’s faces around town over the next month. Welcome to Movember!
Movember is a movement that started in Australia in 2004 to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, and has now spread to many other countries around the world, including Canada. It originally focussed on prostate cancer, but now includes testicular cancer and mental health issues, particularly depression.
Nakusp’s local team, called the Mo’tain Men, kicked off proceedings with a straight shave on Oct. 31 at Candais Smith’s new Barber’s Jointe barber’s shop. Candais very generously donated her barber’s services, allowing the team to get their fundraising off to an excellent start.
The issue of men’s health is particularly important for team member Tom Zeleznik, whose son Ross has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Zeleznik says he is taking part in Movember, as it is “important to me to get the message to young men between the age of 16 to 30 to be tested for this disease. “ Early detection can make an enourmous difference to people diagnosed with the disease, but it is something that a lot of men don’t think about.
The Mo’tain Men team includes Doug Switzer, Tom Zelesnik, Byron Coggin, Ryan Willman, Patrick MacGibbon, and is captained by Nathaniel Howard. If you are interested in donating, you can go to ca.movember.com, click on the donate button, and search for our team, or individual names. In addition, you can drop off cash donations to Nathaniel at Selkirk College in Nakusp. Tax receipts are available.
