A great man is usually accompanied by a great moustache. Think about it - Albert Einstein, Salvador Dali, Freddie Mercury, Friedrich Nietzsche, Lord Kitchener, Friedrich Engels, and Tom Selleck.
They range from cultural icons to great thinkers to great artists and all of them were pogonophiles - although the less said about such other mustachios as Hitler and Stalin the better.
However we are coming close to the month of November which means it is also the month of Movember, when men can grow a moustache, have some fun doing so, and most importantly raise awareness for men’s health and funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Prostate Cancer initiative.
Movember in Galway will be launched on Tuesday October 25 at 6.30pm in the Róisín Dubh.
So what is happening in Galway for Movember and how can Galway men get involved? Those who want to take part should register on www.movember.com and they can direct family and friends to make donations through the site.
Mo Bros, as participants are known, should be clean shaven on November 1 and left free to groom and cultivate their moustache during the month. Throughout the month friends and family can donate money through the individual page of the Mo Bro on www.movember.com and that money will go towards Action Prostate Cancer.
Girlfriends, sisters, and female friends can take part as well as Mo Sistas through dying their hair and helping in fundraising activities.
On December 2 Movember in Galway will come to a close with the Galway Gala Parté in the Róisín Dubh, where moustaches can be shaved off and people can go in fancy dress.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer among Irish men. In Ireland men have a one in nine chance of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime. In Ireland, 2,700 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, with 500 dying from the disease.
However Movember is helping the fight against the disease. In 2010 Movember raised €55 million globally. Ireland’s Mo Community raised more than €1.6 million in 2010 thanks to the 12,700 Irish Mo Bros and Mo Sistas who took part.
“The moustache has and continues to be a great catalyst for change and a badge of honour,” said Movember founder Justin Coughlan. “Not only are awareness levels improving but the money raised is helping to fund some world class initiatives, which without the efforts of our Mo Bros and Mo Sistas would otherwise not be possible.
“We’ve managed to get the conversation of men’s health started and now our challenge is to keep it going. We hope that Ireland will once again get behind the cause in 2011. Movember will keep encouraging men to become more aware and actively involved in their own health, thereby increasing early detection.”
