GRANT EVENS
Regional News
November 17, 2007 10:02 AM
By: Chris Traber
Gentlemen, ever wonder what you’d look like with a mo-tley moustache, that forest of follicles south of the proboscis?
Well, now you can grow one without worry about facial dress codes, fashion risk or fear of marring your mug.
In fact, you can join men around the globe who are resting their razor this mo-nth during the Mo-vember campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. Launched in Australia in 2003, the mo-vement began when a couple of locals decided the mo (down-under slang for moustache) should make a comeback.
A fundraising partnership gained mo-mentum with the Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation. This year, it spread to Canada and Stouffville rock band bassist and businessman Grant Ivens mo-bilized to lend support. He caught a glimpse of a mo-rning TV show promoting the campaign.
He learned, since its inception, Mo-vember has raised mo-re than $8.5 million and has had a significant impact on the state of men’s health, prostate cancer research and men suffering from depression.
“Why would I put hair on such a pretty face you may ask?” queried the president of Markham-based Say What! Communications, tongue in cheek, on his website. “To raise cash for a great cause.”
The Stouffville resident, whose business card whimsically identifies him as a brain surgeon and rocket scientist, is serious about the campaign. Mr. Ivens has a strong mo-dus operandi.
His father had it and his uncle died from prostate cancer.
“My wife and I did the walk and other fundraisers for breast cancer,” he said. “Prostate cancer just doesn’t get as much exposure, but it should.”
He said men everywhere should be aware of the disease.
Every year, approximately 22,300 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,300 die, making it the No. 1 cancer threat to Canadian males.
Enlisting the sponsorship support of clients and friends, including the Slimedogs, a band in which he is the mo-dish, mo-adorned bassist, he’s into the second week of his new, hairy look.
“I’m going for that Spinal Tap look,” he said with a guffaw.
“I had a moustache about 20 years ago. It looked terrible and I promised my wife and kids never to grow another. But, this is worth the embarrassment.”
Some participants agreed to start off the month clean-shaven and are racing to grow the best mo over the mo-nth, he said.
The campaign ends with a gala party in Toronto Nov. 25 at the Phoenix, where mo bros will compete in a runway event for the title of Man of Movember.
Whether you look like a mo-narch, mo-del or mo-nkey with a mo, all mo bros and ladies, too, are encouraged to support the foundation.
Visit movember.com for more information on the campaign and www.slimedogs.com/grant_mo.htm to see fun and furry photos and to donate.