MOVEMBER’S MOUSTACHES CHANGE THE FACE OF MEN’S HEALTH THIS NOVEMBER

Movember Supports the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG in the Continued Fight Against Prostate and Testicular Cancer

LOS ANGELES – July 1, 2009 – Movember kicks off its third annual campaign in the United States, rallying men to grow moustaches for the month of November to raise funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer. In the United States, funds raised by Movember will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of America (PCF) as well as the LIVESTRONG Foundation, two organizations dedicated to fighting cancer affecting men of all ages.

“Movember has shown a true commitment to driving awareness and support for prostate and testicular cancer,” said Doug Ulman, CEO of LIVESTRONG and a cancer survivor. “We appreciate their support and innovative approach.”

Movember, the largest global event dedicated to men’s health, was born in 2003 when three friends in Melbourne, Australia decided it was time to bring back the moustache as a tool for men to break the ice in talking about a taboo subject – their health.   To date, over $47 million has been raised to support men’s health issues through official moustache-growing campaigns in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.

Beginning September 15th, men and women can register to join the campaign at www.Movember.com. Whether on their own or as part of a team, men, called “Mo Bros,” have the month of November to grow, and show their “Mo” (slang for moustache).  Friends, family, and colleagues can show their support by sponsoring the Mo-growing efforts and donating funds to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG. Women who register to join the campaign, “Mo Sistas,” act as ambassadors for the “Mo Bros,” spreading the word and showing their support.

Participants celebrate their “Mo” at the end of November, attending Movember’s Gala Partés in Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, Aspen, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Boston dressed in costume to suit their moustache and vying for the title of “Man of Movember.”

“Movember accelerates medical research that helps save and improve the lives of all those who work to save cancer affecting men,” said Prostate Cancer Foundation President and CEO Dr. Jonathan Simons. “ This is an engaging program that helps men understand prostate cancer and talk about important issues like risk factors, preventive measures and early detection.”

It’s time that men understand the facts:

  • Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men and it will strike one in six men in their lifetime
  • The death rate has fallen 40 percent compared to what was once projected, however the number of new cases is expected to grow with the aging of “baby boomers,” with the potential to reach 300,000 per year by 2015
  • More than 192,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009.  More than 27,000 will die from the disease
  • Testicular cancer is the most common cancer afflicting men aged 18-35. The message is clear: more research is needed
  • Within the next decade, cancer is likely to replace heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. It is already the biggest killer of those under the age of 85

Behind the Mo

“The moustache is our ribbon” said Movember Co-Founder and CEO Adam Garone, “If you don’t normally have a moustache, you’re compelled to explain your new look to everyone, which starts conversations about prostate and testicular cancer. Together Movember, PCF and LIVESTRONG can make great strides in changing the face of men’s health- one moustache at a time.”

All money raised in the US will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG.  Movember works with their beneficiaries to ensure that the funding processes, as well as the outcome of the projects are transparent and that progress reports are made available to the Movember participants and public.

This year’s US Movember campaign will be sponsored by Wahl, Canadian Club, Warner Brothers for “Sherlock Holmes,” Pepsi Max, Dermalogica, Arbitrage, Demitasse Jewelry, Quiksilver, DC Shoes, and Palmer Cash.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) was founded in 1993 to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer by funding promising research programs that otherwise would not be able to find funding. Through its unique model for soliciting and selecting innovative research programs and rapid deployment of resources, the PCF has funded more than 1,500 programs at nearly 200 research institutions around the world.

About LIVESTRONG

LIVESTRONG, which was founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, unites people to fight all cancers, believing that unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything. LIVESTRONG unites people to fight cancer and pursue an agenda focused on prevention, access to screening and care, improving the quality of life for survivors and research investment.

About Movember

Movember is a global charity event that invites men to grow moustaches (or Mos) for the month of November.  The moustache serves as the ‘ribbon’ and the vehicle by which participants in Movember raise funds and awareness for men’s health – specifically prostate and testicular cancer.  Movember aims to reduce the number of preventable male deaths by raising funds and creating awareness for cancer affecting men. Since Movember’s inception in 2003, over 372,000 Mo Bros have grown moustaches to change the face of men’s health.  For more information please visit www.movember.com.

Editor’s note: There will be an event held in Boston on December 3, 2009. Tickets are just $10.

  • Boston Movember Gala Party
  • December 3, 2009, 9:00pm
  • Parris Lounge
  • 250 Faneuil Hall Market Pl
  • Boston , MA