The Martlet

Tom Selleck look-alikes will storm the UVic campus this month in an effort to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

Every November since 2003, men around the globe have grown out the hair on their upper lip to raise awareness for men’s health issues — particularly prostate cancer. The activity is called Movember — mo, slang for moustache, combined with November.

During a lifetime, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

As people ask Movember participants about their uncharacteristic handlebars, they can effectively become walking billboards for men’s health, receiving pledges and educating people on the little-known stats.

The driving force behind the initiative is the Movember Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization. All the money raised in Canada goes to directly to Prostate Cancer Canada. In 2008, more than $2.4 million was raised in Canada.

Although a multitude of Victoria men stored their shavers for last year’s Movember, UVic commerce and biology students Jeremy Varlow and Gabe Konyves noticed a lack of event organization on campus. This year, they volunteered for the role as event planners.

“As more and more people become affected by this, it becomes more and more important to get the word out,” said Varlow about his reasons for becoming involved with Movember.

Konyves commented on the importance of speaking to an issue that seldom is brought into the forefront of conversation — men’s health.

“A lot of issues aren’t really touched on and people should be more aware of it,” Konyves said. “As men, we have this kind of underlying stubbornness.”

Varlow shares that perspective.

“I don’t think I’ve gone to the doctor in [ages] for a regular check-up,” he said. “We want to come across as tough … no signs of weakness.”

With a goal of raising $500 to $1,000, Varlow and Konyves have already begun working on their mo’s. They have registered with the foundation under the team name Men of the Mo-Ment. Every Tuesday throughout November, the duo plans to host events at Petch Fountain between 12 and 1 p.m.

The first activity, set for Friday, Nov. 13, is the Stash Dash which has participants roaming the university grounds to accumulate as much cash as they can within an allotted time. Those who come in with the most Movember money win a prize.

The duo are also planning a milk chugging contest in the residence cafeteria for Nov. 17.

For updates on Movember events visit the Facebook page, UVic Movember.

Just as men are allies to women in raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research, Varlow and Konyves said they want to include women by creating a special event just for them.

Organizers in major cities around the world hold month-end galas to celebrate the efforts of those involved — and to give one last hurrah to their mo’s. Varlow and Konyves hope to follow suite by presenting their own Stash Bash at a local bar or club.

Be it undercover brother, trucker or sanchez, there are a number of ways to maintain your mo.

The foundation’s website, Movember.com, has a list of stash styles for those looking to stay fashionable during their awareness campaign. The website also includes additional information on men’s health.

“Everybody wants to grow a mustache, they just don’t have a reason to do it,” said Konyves, adding that raising awareness for a good cause such as men’s health is a perfect time to throw down the razor.