Now that the sugar rush of Halloween is over and we have all given Remembrance Day its due before packing our poppies away, it's time to turn to the other thing that November is becoming somewhat famous for.
By now, you may have noticed a strange phenomenon occurring in our town. Perhaps, you've wondered, are the men folk trying to ward off the winter chill by working diligently on cultivating scruffy patches of facial hair? Maybe, you've thought, the moustache is making a tragic comeback, reminiscent of the way wearing leggings as pants has made an unfortunate reappearance in today's fashion realm.
But no. The moustache remains a hipster's attempt at irony, worn by the masses only during November – or more correctly, Movember.
In an attempt to “change the face of men's health”, Movember is a movement to raise funds and awareness for men's health, especially prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives.
The rules are simple: start with a clean-shaven face on Nov. 1. Then let things grow as they may. Trimming and waxing is allowed, though many men seem unaware that they are permitted to practice common grooming practices on the unruly beast sprouting on their face.
The results are that men who choose to participate become walking reminders of the importance of men's health.
By registering on ca.movember.com, men seek out sponsorships for their moustache attempts, and these funds are given to programs run by Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada.
According to the website, the Movember movement is growing exponentially across the globe. So far, $301 million Canadian dollars have been raised – starting with $50,000 in 2004 and increasing steadily to 2011, when the moustached men raised $125.7 million.
Participants have increased as well, going from 450 in 2004 to 854,288 in 2011 – and those are just the ones registering on the site and raising funds for the cause. Imagine how much good work and recognition could be achieved if every man with a scraggly attempt at a moustache went online and registered to raise funds?
Sure, it may not be the most attractive of fundraising initiatives, and maybe the women of this fair town spend their days counting down until December, but the cause is a pretty attractive one – a better awareness of men's health issues.
So to all the Bonnyville and area men doing their best to grow a moustache in the name of good health, we here at the Bonnyville Nouvelle salute you and wish you the best of luck in your efforts.
