St. Peter, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus Athletics Department is currently in the midst of Movember, a global event that helps raise vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. Members of its sports teams, along with members of the entire Gustavus community, have been participating in Movember throughout the month.
Assistant Athletic Director Jared Phillips, whose mustache and passion for the campaign sparked Gustavus’s involvement in last year, is excited to embark on a new Movember crusade in 2013. “It is exciting to again have Gustie coaches and athletes participating in Movember for a second year. Last year was our first shot at participating and this year we are hoping to increase the awareness about why this is such an important campaign for men’s health awareness.”
In the days leading up to Movember, Phillips was approached by a great number of student-athletes and staff members about Gustavus’s involvement in the campaign. “The buzz heading in shows that the message of the Movember campaign has really gotten out to people here on campus,” Phillips said. “That makes sense when you look at the exposure Movember is getting across the country as well. With television personalities participating, and professional and minor league sport teams taking part, the Movember movement continues to grow and it is exciting to be a part of it.”
This year, student-athletes from every men’s team, along with multiple coaches, are participating in Movember. Professors, staff, and other members of the College have also joined in this year’s effort. “In addition, we’ve received commitments from our women’s sport teams to help with the educational part to get the message out about the importance of men’s health for young males,” said Phillips about the involvement of Gustavus’s female student-athletes, or as they are billed during the month, Mo Sistas.
Jared Phillips spearheaded Gustavus’s Movember campaign last year and is thrilled with the commitment of the Gustavus community in 2013.
“Similar to how Gusties have supported breast cancer initiatives during the month of October by wearing pink, students and staff are lending their support to this men’s health campaign and that is great to see,” commented Phillips about Gustavus’s immersion in service events such as Movember. “When Gusties see an important issue they get behind it and lend their support in anyway possible – that is what the Gustavus community is all about.”
Although his mustache may pale in comparison to those of Burt Reynolds and Ron Swanson, it’s all about camaraderie and community for Phillips. “While those of us who do look pretty silly during the month and we take some grief because of it, it is great to work in a department that is willing to get behind a campaign like this and support it.”
To help support Gustavus’s Movember effort, please go to http://us.movember.com/team/1139689.
2012 Gustavus Movember Photo Gallery
ABOUT MOVEMBER
Movember is a global men’s health charity that encourages men to grow and women to support the Mo (moustache) for the 30 days of November. Through the power of the moustache, awareness and funds are raised for men’s health to combat prostate and testicular cancer.
In the US, programs directed by the Movember Foundation are focused on awareness and education, living with and beyond cancer, and research to achieve its vision of an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.
HISTORY
Movember started in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 with two men who wanted to bring back a past fashion trend – the moustache. That year, 30 individuals participated but no money was raised. In 2004, amazed by the fun they had and the conversations that were sparked, four of the 30 original members came together to make their Mo-growing an annual, official charitable endeavor by adding an important cause – prostate cancer. That year, 450 participants raised $43,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Movember came to the US in 2007, with 2,127 participants raising over $740,000. This year, there will be official Movember campaigns in 21 countries.
Globally, 3 million participants have raised more than $446 million to date.
HOW
The growth of a moustache on an otherwise bare lip sparks both public and private discussion; Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for men’s health for 30 days, raising funds along the way.
As the official rules of Movember state, all Mo Bros (male participants), once registered, must begin clean-shaven on the 1st of Movember and grow just a moustache (no beards, no goatees) for the 30 days of November. Shave the Date: Movember 1 is the kick-off event for Mo Bros and Mo Sistas (female participants) to start the month off right in support of Movember, the global men’s health charity that raises awareness and funds for men’s health through the power of the moustache.
Participation is simple – men and women register at Movember.com to grow or support the Mo. Once registered, Movember participants recruit friends, family and colleagues to donate to their Mo- growing efforts. In 2012, Movember US saw more than 209,000 Americans growing and supporting the Mo, raising $21 million for men’s health to combat prostate and testicular cancer.
WHY
One of the biggest obstacles men tackle in regards to general well-being, is a reluctance to discuss health issues they face either with their partner, family, or doctor. Movember was born from recognition that a fun and engaging initiative could help encourage men to become more actively involved in their own health. Movember aims to increase awareness and support for men’s health by getting conversations started at a grassroots level, educating men about the health risks they face, and raising vital funds for support programs.
EFFECT
Movember aims to forever change the face of men’s health through the power of the moustache by raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. Since 2003, three million participants have raised over $446 million for the cause, funding more than 570 programs globally, with official Movember campaigns taking place in 21 countries. Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, has been named a Top 100 best NGO by The Global Journal.
For more information please visit Movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.
Going to join you Philly, mine could look worse than. Yours……