Movember: Spreading Awareness for Men's Health

Movember is an annual event and global charity to raise awareness in the month of November on Men’s Health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Movember, founded in 2003, in Melbourne, Australia, is a leading charity that has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world. The reasoning behind Movember’s founding was because of two mates, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, who wanted to bring the fashion of moustaches back. They found 30 guys who wanted to join them in the challenge to wear a moustache as a fashion statement, naming themselves the ‘Mo Bros.’ 

This fashion statement from the Mo Bros turned into a website by the name ‘Movember,’ created by Adam Garone, Travis Garone’s brother. Then, they decided to raise funds kickstarted by Justin Coghlan. The funds they earned from the website were donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, which at the time for PCFA, was the largest single donation they have ever received. In 2005, Movember became the PCFA’s first official men’s health partner after raising £527,492 since 2003 and funding 6 men’s health projects. In 2006, New Zealand, with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ, came on board with the Australian charity’s intentions after Movember became an official Australian charity. 

In 2007, Movember officially launched in Canada, partnering with Prostate Cancer Canada. More recently in 2021, Movember became the Official Mental Fitness Partner for the Rugby League World Cup in 2021, which took place in November 2022. They delivered more than 8,000 mental health workshops to teenage rugby league players, their parents, and sports coaches. From its beginning in 2003, the Movember movement has grown globally, showing its commitment to help change the face of men’s health.