Changing the face of mens health in Ireland
The lucky ladies and lads of Limerick can look forward to plenty of tickly kisses, as Movember, the charity that aims to change the face men’s health, returns for its sophomore year in Ireland. Mo Bros and celebs alike are gearing up for an assault on their upper lip.
Movember, the month formerly known as November involves ‘Mo Bros’, with support from ‘Mo Sistas’, growing a Mo (Australian slang for Tache) throughout the month, to raise money for Action Prostate Cancer, an initiative of the Irish cancer Society.
Mo Bros are asked to be clean-shaven on Movember 1st and gain sponsorship for their Mo-mentous effort throughout the month whilst raising awareness of men’s health issues. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas can register at www.movember.com as individuals or as a team and become citizens of Movember.
Last year, Movember’s first in Ireland, over 1,700 Mo Bros took part around the country, with the help of the Mo Sistas, and raised a phenomenal 370,000euro over the month. In its first year of Mo-growing, Ireland surpassed all other countries with donations per capita, with the average individual donation totalling 213euro.
Movember 2009 looks to be even hairier with a host of celebrities also lending their faces for the month. Already signed up are Olympic boxing hero Kenny Egan, Niall Breslin from top Irish band The Blizzards and Richie Egan of Jape. Plus front man of band ‘Bitches With Wolves’, James O’Neill will also donate his face for the month. Original Mo Bro, Irish Rugby legend Donal Lenihan has pledged to be a Mo Mentor, offering Mo Bros advice and top tips on how to achieve a quiff upper lip.
A host of partners have come on board to support and reward Mo Bros and Sistas on their journey throughout the month including lads favourite Lynx who will be offering top tips on how to use the Lynx Mo Effect to the full effect and will have the luscious Lynx Minxs on hand to encourage Mo Bro’s with their growth throughout the month.
Justin Coughlan, Co Founder of Movember said, “It’s great to be back in Ireland for Movember 2009. We were staggered by the positive response and unrivalled generosity from the Irish last year and we plan to build on this success and keep raising awareness about men’s health. Our aim still is to greatly reduce the incidences of prostate cancer in Ireland, and across the globe. This year is shaping up to be another great one as lots of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas donate their faces and time to spread awareness across the country”.
John McCormack of the Irish Cancer Society commented, “The Irish Cancer Society greatly appreciates the ongoing support of the Movember campaign in Ireland. It is wonderful to see such a large following of support in the community in such a positive way. Our Movember partnership allows us to fundraise and drive awareness to even more men across the country. We are therefore urging men to support this important campaign and to grow and groom their Mos.”
Movember events began in 2003 in Australia with 30 mates. By 2008, Movember had grown globally and was officially held in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Australia where 173,000 participants, known as ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sistas’ raised more than STG£14 million for men’s health, and a total of STG£30 million since the charity started.
Prostate Cancer is the most common male cancer, and Irish men have a one in nine chance of developing prostate cancer during the course of their lifetime. Irish men are the most at risk in Europe with the national Cancer Registry of Ireland estimating there will be a 275 per cent increase in the incidence of prostate cancer by 2020.
