Well, it is that time of year again; the time when men all across the world throw away their razors to don moustaches and raise awareness for men's health.
For the second straight year the Nouvelle newsroom will be participating in the craze that has come to be known as “Movember “ and grow (or attempt to grow) moustaches.
The Bonnyville Nouvelle's official member page on www.movember.com has been created and donations are being accepted.
Editor Mike Pickford and I will be entering into a friendly competition. Neither of us can grow a moustache, so we will be competing to see whose upper lip hair best resembles something of a moustache by the end of the month.
While we are teasing each other over our lack of facial hair, we will also be trying to raise funds and awareness for men's health, after all that is the main goal of this campaign (the excuse to attempt to grow a moustache is a bonus).
Although I am guaranteed to be ridiculed for what is sure to be a pathetic lip sweater, I will tough it out and participate in what I believe to be a great initiative.
As to why I will be joining the cause, the Movember website sums it up best: “to generate conversations about men's health and to find breakthrough solutions that produce tangible improvements in the lives of those dealing with prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.”
If that doesn't convince you to drop your razor and start growing a “mo”, I'm not sure what will.
The Movember campaign, which started in 2003 in Melbourne Australia, has grown to include more than three million people across 21 countries.
Since 2004 the Movember community has raised more than $574 million and has funded over 800 programs, in 21 countries.
In Canada, $151.6 million has been raised since 2007, and funds have been committed to more than 200 programs in support of men's health.
Last year, six businesses across Bonnyville joined the cause and raised over $5,524. Leading the way were the Bonnyville Pontiacs, whose team combined to raise $2,840.
The Nouvelle's total was small, as we only managed to bring in $125. This year I'd like to see that up around $200. I encourage you to donate, if not to the Nouvelle, to someone else participating in this great cause.
