While exposure in newspapers like The Globe and Mail flatters Movember, it is the personal writings of Mo Bros and Sistas that we measure our success by.  Thanks to Bloggers like Peter Lynn the Movember word is getting out there.

Keep talking.

*organizer Stepan Pruchnicky primping for Movember at Bentley’s Barber shop in Toronto.  Photos courtesy of founding Mo’ Bro Mark Jackson.    

With the slogan “For Guys in Toronto”, The Wyre could be anything from a strip club to an all-you-can eat red meat palace.  When Movember first heard that someone was offering  ___________ for guys in Toronto, our imaginations ran wild. 

So, like our hairy-lipped friend Thomas Magnum would advise, we went to scope it out.  Here’s what we found out:

The Wyre‘s website (www.xyyz.ca) is a guide for Toronto’s Urban Male. 

“Metrosexual?” ask you?

Not exactly.  This website has little to do with soul-searching MANtras, and emotional expression.  Instead, the site focuses on Men’s needs: professional, entertainment, shopping… It’s a guy’s guide to the city of Toronto.  While Movember typically adhere’s to the “we don’t need directions” school of thought, www.xyyz.ca is a great springboard to find what’s new in the city.

AND

For the entire month of November, The Wyre will be donating $2 from every new subcription to their online newsletter.  Yet another way to help your fellow man.

Movember - Hey Tom.  How’s it going?  Have a hard time finding us?

Magnum PI - You know, it’s bad enough that TC was busy with the chopper, but then I went to Princess Margaret Hospital looking for you guys, and you weren’t even there! 

MO – Easy there big guy, keep your tank-top on.  You know that we’re a third party event for the Hospital Foundation.  That means that we’re raising money FOR the hospital.

PI – So you’re not hospital employees.

MO – That’s right tiger.  Movember is made up of a few founding Mo’ Bros that brought the event from Australia to Canada.  We’re web guys, a PR guy, a photographer, graphic designers and a teacher.  The great thing is that as the project grows, so does the group of men and women heading it up.  It’s truly a grass-roots organization… sort of like a Chia Pet, growing from Canada’s upper-lip.

PI – So why PMHF?  What about the money? Where’s your cut.

MO- Thomas, the only cuts we plan to take are on the 1st of November.  Some of us shave better than others. 

PMHF was chosen because of their commitment to the cancer cause.  They are the largest Cancer Hospital in all of Canada.  They provide care to our families and friends.  They do good work.

Everything that Movember raises goes directly to the hospital.  In fact, our web-based pledge system directs ALL money straight to the foundation.  If you’re a sceptic, or just concerned about where your Movember dollars are going, please contact the Hospital directly and check with the Pledged Events Department.  They will gladly answer all of your questions. 

You’re an investigator Magnum, detect yourself over to the hospital’s website and go from there… We’re being very transparent.

PI – Ok… So if Higgins sponsors me for $62… his money goes straight to PMHF…?

MO – That’s right. AND they’ll email him a tax receipt right away.

PI – Wow.

MO – I know.  So how bout you Mr. PI…?  Can we convince a private dick to take care of his…  Can we convince you to grow a Mo to help a bro? 

On the 12th of September, 2006 Marvin  Mittelstaedt wrote an article titled “Two Cancers Soar in Young Adults” in the Globe and Mail.  In his story, Mr. Mittelstaedt wrote about the increase in testicular cancer in young men.  He points out (quite alarmingly) that not only is testicular cancer “the most common cancer among young men”, but its incidence has risen 54% in the past twenty years.  AHHHHHHH!

The article goes on to  give a couple of potential reasons for the rise in family jewel melanoma: environmental factors (pesticides, chemicals, and plastics) that mimic human sex hormones and, perhaps, men entering puberty at a younger age. 

Mr. Mittelstaedt brings us some bad news about testicular cancer and its causes.  Unfortunately, he offers us no solution apart from avoiding the environmental culprits in the cancer.  His article is scary.

Conversely, a few months ago, the BBC provided Movember with the following bit of good news.  Movember is not sure of its medical accuracy, but encourages an intensive trial period for this experimental Cancer prevention technique.

Now we’re looking for a new upper lip. 

We’re looking for a radio face.

A few very talented Mo’ Bros have put together Movember PSAs.  Both are available on www.movember.ca and can be accessed by clicking on the following link.  Scroll down passed the “being awesome” section to the section titled “spreading the word”.

Mo’ Bros and Sistas,

If you know ANYONE in the radio industry, please forward them a link to the Movember website and direct their attention to the PSAs.  Together, we may get these on the airwaves.

Movember is pleased to announce that a new corporate sponsor has been added to our team of partners: M&M Meats.

In honour of M&M meats and their kind donation of a “Red Meat Voucher” Movember presents Hats of Meat:

Bon Appetit Mo’ Bros and Sistas.

…”upper lip, slick and hip… pointy on the ends”.  

Looks like it’s time to get more super. 

Mo’ Bros and Sistas, we have a new friend.  Let Movember introduce you to Boobie-Thon.  While Movember sequesters your upper lips to spread the word about men’s health, Boobie-Thone uses…  Just take a look. 

This uber-successful event is a beacon to all who care about health, and to all who have decided to be awesome.   

Movember realizes the motivation of the Lover Sistas.  Ladies, for you to be invited to a party full of moustached men must drive you crazy with anticipation.  Movember hears your rapidly increasing heartbeat and passes you the following message: patience m’lady, the gala is upon us.

What about the supporters?  What about the ladies who begrudgingly put up with their moustached men?  Ladies, your is a heavy cross to bare.  Movember offers you solace.  Please, sign up (because you love your fellas) and stick together.  Your idealist boyfriends, husbands, brothers and friends are going to make the world a better place with or without you.  Why not support them.  Unite yourselves with other supportive ladies and live through your moustached hardships together.  Surely, you can get through Movember together.

Needs them for what?

There are 2 kinds of Mo’ Sistas: the lovers and the supporters.  Both have specific roles.

1) Lovers: 

Sistas, your job is simple.  You love the Mo?  Then go convince some fellas to grow one; tell them about Movember.  Stoke their hair, and tell them how wonderful they’d look with a set of handlebars.  If they resist, feel free to use the “if you love me” tactic.  Remember, all’s fair in love and charity.

 2) Supporters:

Ladies, if your fella comes to you and tells you that he’s going to raise some funds and awareness for Cancer by beautifying his visage, you have a few choices to make.  You could either dump his sorry ass, or make him sleep on the sofa untill he regains his sense of upper lip.  However, wouldn’t it be great if for one month (just one) you let him help his fellow man?  Why not support him in his good deed.  Think of yourself as the Maid Marion, proud of your Robin Hood.

Ladies, we want all of you to be our Sistas.  A sausage party is never fun.  Join us in Movember.