Mo bros continue to grow cause

Movember East London campaign calls on all to support it and create awareness

MEN, just like women, are facing a health crisis and it is not really being talked about.

So this Movember, grow a mo to raise awareness about men’s
health. The non-profit Movember East London campaign, which was started in 2014, has raised R100 000 so far, with R64000
raised in the last year.
And the committed team are confident of raising the bar again this year.
The group’s main focus is on raising awareness and getting people to have a finger-prick blood test done that can pick up abnormalities.
In 2003, two mates from Melbourne, Australia (Travis Garone and Luke Slattery), joked about bringing the moustache back in fashion. The two friends decided to talk their mates into growing a mo ( moustache).
Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they decided to make the campaign about men’s health
and prostate cancer. So, they found 30 men willing to take up the challenge and grow a mo.
Those first 30 Mo Bros grew their moustaches with such enthusiasm that in 2004 a decision was made to formalise the concept and get all participants growing mos for a cause. The rest is history, as it is now an international initiative.
The Movember East London team is registered with the official Movember Foundation, with all funds raised going to Movember South Africa.
All funds raised by the Movember South Africa campaign go directly to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).
Team leader, Jono Bruton, said Cansa reimbursed the Movember
East London team for the costs of running the campaign.
The net funds are committed to programmes supporting prostate cancer and testicular cancer initiatives.
According to Bruton, the Movember East London campaign has been recognised by the Movember Foundation as the biggest private contributor to the fund over the years.
As such, the Foundation have agreed to do something special
for the East London campaigners.
“So we have an end of the month party planned on November 26.
“We can’t say anything about it just yet but here is a little riddle with regards to the entertainment we are working on for the evening: ‘Who rocks a moustache all year round and wears a loooong peaked cap?’”
Bruton said they are always humbled by the response they receive from East Londoners every year, which motivates them to keep going. “So please support Movember this year, whether it’s by growinga mo or making a small donation towards the movement.
“Support our events, go get yourself tested for cancer, phone a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time, ask them how they
are.
“It’s not all just about cancer, it’s about dealing with the depression that can come with it too.”
The MoSistas will have a launch party at The Cantina & Craft at Beacon Bay Crossing centre at 6.30pm on Saturday.
While the event is for M o S i st a s , men are also welcome too of course.
Tickets are R80 at the door, which include a free cocktail on
arrival. Each ticket will have a number printed on it, which will go into a lucky draw.
“We are also doing a luckydraw for those who attend to stand a chance to win a 15.77ct Pear Shaped Kunzite Stone valued at R8 000, sponsored by Pierre Marc Handcrafted Jewellery,” Bruton said.
“We will also have cool stick-on moustaches for the ladies and Movember East London shirts for sale, as well as some other Movembern paraphernalia.
“The point of the evening is to show that men aren’t alone in
dealing with hardcore situations like cancer or the depression
that follows.
“It shows that our better halves, the MoSista’s are there for us.
“We do not need to walk alone – testicular cancer is not something to be taken lightly or hidden due to embarrassment.
“This is a laid-back event where you can have fun, eat great food and laugh with friends – men are most definitely welcome to the event and are encouraged to attend,” Bruton said.
For more information call (043) 74 8 – 2 6 3 6 .