Movember may be but a hairy memory for the people of Lac La Biche as local men once again brave the winter chill with a nude upper lip. But Lac La Bichers, like all Canuck countrymen, can be proud of the fact that Canada was the moustache capital of the world last month.
In total, 246,480 Canadians raised over $39 million for prostate cancer research, a full $13 million more than second-place United Kingdom. National Director of Movember Canada and proud moustache farmer Pete Bombaci said Canadians take so well to the fundraiser because of their love of good, clean fun.
“Canadians are like Aussies,” Bombaci said. “They’re all about growing the dirty ‘stache, and becoming that rockstar alter-ego for a month. And it’s justified for a good cause – it’s a great way to show you care.”
Movember started in Australia in 2004 and first came to Canada in 2007. Lac La Biche resident and prostate cancer survivor Ernie Sehn participated that first year, raising over $650. Last month, dozens of local men cultivate their nose neighbours, including RCMP, local media, dentists, and the Portage College Voyageurs.
Bombaci said support was strong from coast to coast and shared a couple of the highlights from Movember 2011.
“Canadians take the Movember brand and make it whatever they want,” he said. “Little Max in Halifax raised $5,000 by selling fake moustaches and there was a kid in Ottawa that raised money by drawing a moustache on his face for 30 days.”
Given the success of this year’s campaign, it’s no surprise that Movember will be growing again next year.
“It’s an opportunity to meet so many great people – of course we’ll be back next year, bigger and better than ever,” Bombaci said.
To date, the official Movember 2011 stats say 853,782 people from around the world – including Australia, the United States, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and more – raised $109,591,205 last month for prostate cancer research.
