With three days remaining in November 2008, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are encouraging their fans, and the public at large, to show their support for Movember, a month-long charity event that raises money and awareness for prostate cancer research.
Whitecaps players and staff, including president Bob Lenarduzzi, have grown and groomed moustaches in an effort to support Movember (the month formerly known as November). Movember brings awareness to men's health and raises money for the Prostate Cancer Research Centre of Canada. Known as Mo Bros, Whitecaps participants have been growing moustaches since the beginning of the month, and the latest results have been most revealing…not to mention very distinctive…
One of the club's participants is midfielder Martin Nash. The Canadian international admits he has received a few odd looks with his moustache. "To be honest, it's been a strange time growing mine because it has taken a long time for it to grow," he told whitecapsfc.com. "My sister has had a laugh at it, while my wife has also had a chuckle at it from time to time."
Despite his change in facial appearance, Nash thinks growing a moustache is a unique and simple way to support such an important cause. "It's only a little thing to do for a short period of time, and anything you can do for any cause is great," he said. "People have been asking why I have been growing it, especially as it is not the most attractive thing for me. Yet, I think it's been a good way of making people aware of prostate cancer and how it affects men's health. A lot of people that I've talked to have gone and checked out the Movember website and made themselves more aware of the cause we are all trying to support at the club."
With the campaign nearing its conclusion, Whitecaps Mo Bros have raised over $1,200 in donations to this stage, with over $1.5 million raised across Canada in the past three-and-a-half weeks. Whitecaps Mo Bros wish to thank all those that have donated towards the campaign, but more can still be done in these final days, as we work towards a cure for prostate cancer.
Did you know that every year, around 24,700 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,300 die of the disease, making it the number one cancer threat to Canadian men? Unlike women, men are typically reluctant to see a doctor or go for regular medical checkups. The aim of Movember is to change this attitude and make men’s health fun by putting the moustache back on the face of Canadian men and raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer research.
On Thursday evening, The Movember Foundation will celebrate the month's efforts of local Mo Bros with a gala party at the Caprice Nightclub (967 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC). Come dressed to suit your moustache and enjoy great giveaways, as well as a chance to win some great prizes. One guy and one girl will also be crowned Man of Movember and Miss Movember respectively at the event. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas who raise over $100 in donations will receive free entry to Thursday's gala, while tickets are $35 at the door for other attendees. All proceeds will benefit the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada.
Click here for more information on the Whitecaps efforts to support Movember and how you can donate towards a cure for prostate cancer.
Click here to join our Whitecaps Movember Facebook group.
