Mo’ better cause.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Movember in Ireland, and it’s become something of a tradition for thousands of Irish men. While it does of course make them look much more dapper, the important thing is to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues.
In the past ten years, over 100,000 men and women in Ireland have loaned their upper lip or helped to raise funds for what has become the most effective men’s health initiative of a generation; making a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues in Ireland each year.
10 years of success
In the past 10 years, over 100,000 hairy upper lips have helped raise funds, and Movember has become the most effective men’s health initiative of a generation. Its continued success has made a real difference to the lives of the thousands of people affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues in Ireland each year.
To celebrate its tenth year on these shores, Movember Ireland is calling on the men and women of the Emerald Isle to get involved and host an event. Celebrities have been getting in the spirit as well, and Neil Rooney, Movember Country Director wants us all to ditch our razors.
Some celebs are better than others at growing moustaches though…
He said: “We are fully committed to continue our work over the next 10 years and beyond to help close the four-year gap in life expectancy between men and women in Ireland, and we need ongoing support to continue our work. If you haven’t grown a Mo before, now is the time. Ditch that razor, put your lip to work again and help men live happier, healthier, longer lives!”
It didn’t all happen overnight, and the work people have done over the last decade is already making a difference. Neil said however that we still have much to do.
“Ten years ago, awareness and funding of male cancers and mental health was critically low and the issues were often ignored in Ireland. As a result, men suffered and died in silence. It simply wasn’t acceptable. Movember gave a platform for change to men who wanted to challenge outdated, toxic attitudes to masculinity and women who wanted a better, brighter future for the men in their lives,” he said.
Making a difference
Donal Buggy, Head of Services at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “We are very proud of our partnership with Movember in Ireland. Through their fundraising efforts over the past ten years, Movember has become the largest non-governmental funder of prostate cancer initiatives in Ireland.”
“The Irish Cancer Society has worked with Movember to fund over 30 research and patient support programmes improving the lives of men across the country. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Movember Ireland and building on our vital work in supporting men affected by prostate cancer in Ireland,” he said.
John Connell, bestselling author and mental health advocate said: “I am delighted to have partnered with Movember this year on their 10th anniversary. Movember has played an important role over the past ten years in destigmatising mental health issues in Irish society and I look forward to working with them to let men know it’s good to talk when they face these challenges.”
Ireland is also being included in the International Registry for Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN). Managed by the Irish Cancer Society and funded by Movember Ireland, researchers in seven hospitals across Dublin, Cork, and Sligo will be leading the Irish contribution to the project.
The IRONMAN registry collects information about a patient’s type of prostate cancer, their treatment and what side effects they may be experiencing to help inform cause, prevention and treatment.
To help Movember continue their ongoing work you can sign up and get involved or make a donation on Movember.com
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