Otherwise clean-shaven men around Abbotsford are sporting facial hair throughout November in support of prostate cancer research and other men’s health issues.
The international “Movember” movement has drawn participation from numerous individuals and groups in the city, including the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) and the Abbotsford Heat hockey team.
The APD has 17 members who have opted to sprout moustaches and/or beards while raising funds for the cause.
Const. Ian MacDonald is among them, and he jokes that the occasion should be re-named “enduring ridicule for a month for a good cause.”
To date, the group has raised about $1,600 for the cause. Donations can be made on the web page ca.movember.com/team/669985.
The Heat hockey team is also involved in the movement.
“As a group, we recognize the importance of supporting Movember as a cause that makes a lot of sense to a dressing room full of guys,” said captain Quintin Laing.
A portion of the Heat’s hockey games on Nov. 9 and 10 against the Oklahoma City Barons went to the Movember campaign.
Fans are invited to contribute to the team’s fundraising efforts at any time by visiting the web page ca.movember.com/mospace/2937537.
The Movember campaign began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia and involved men growing moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. The campaign has since grown to almost two million people worldwide who have raised over $300 million to support the cause.
The funds raised in Canada support men’s health, specifically mental health and prostate cancer initiatives.
Statistics show that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Canada men, with one in seven developing the disease.