The St. Thomas University Students’ Union and STU’s student athlete council hope to make this year’s Movember campaign the most successful one yet.
Robert McMichael, a STUSU at-large representative and the campaign organizer, said they are well on their way to meeting that goal.
He dismissed concerns surrounding men who grow mustaches every year without donating money or signing up on Movember’s website to fundraise.
“Donating is a huge part in helping bringing awareness to the several facets of men’s health, but growing that mustache, or trying to, is just as important as donating,” he said. “Guys who just grow mustaches are helping change the face of men’s health, even without donations. They bring awareness and change to Movember’s causes, whether they know or not.”
Second-year STU student Brandon LeBlanc is one of those men who focuses more on awareness.
“I don’t grow a mustache anytime else, so it’s a fun time to just change it up,” LeBlanc said. “I just do it for fun.”
He agrees that, by simply sporting a mustache for the month, he’s helping raise awareness.
“If people want to be outraged that I don’t pay money to grow my own facial hair, so be it,” said LeBlanc. “I wouldn’t expect others to pay money to grow their own facial hair, so I don’t see why others would expect it from me.”
However, LeBlanc said he sees more value in donating to the cause.
McMichael said that partnering with the student athlete council has allowed STUSU to pool its resources and delegate responsibilities to more people.
The committee held a “Mo-vie” night Monday, Nov. 24, and a dodgeball tournament is set for Nov. 30.
McMichael said STUSU’s social media presence for the duration of Movember has been a success.
“We’re also seeing several different organizations on campus rallying behind the Movember cause and holding events which donate money as well as awareness,” said McMichael. “For example, Psi Lambda Phi Fratnerity and Pi Alpha Gamma Sorority have had a bake sale with all proceeds going to Movember.”
McMichael said residences have supported Movember as well, with Harrington Hall hosting a social where proceeds will be directed toward Movember and Rigby Hall is also holding several fundraisers.
Movember began in Australia in 2004, and it quickly spread to South Africa and Europe before coming to North America in 2006. To date, the annual campaign has raised $574 million for men’s health, including prostate and testicular cancers. More than 4 million people have grown mustaches worldwide for Movember.
Donations can be made by visiting ca.movember.com. Visit the site and search “STUSU” to support the STUSU’s Movember team.
