Get Your Mo’ On!

Tom Sellek, Burt Reynolds, Hulk Hogan. Only one word can describe them—legendary. Is it the actors or the characters themselves? Or is it their handsome, virile moustaches that give them the fame and fortune they so rightly deserve?
I don’t know, but I have a feeling it’s the latter, moustache or “mo” as our Australian transoceanic neighbors have coined it.
The “mo” sensation has swept generations of men into fame and leadership.
Charlie Chaplin quietly set our hearts on fire and tickled our funny bones with his silent moustache stroking and cane dancing.
Albert Einstein twisted his frazzled mo for hours in the laboratory, and thanks to his mo he’s enlightened generations.
Ron Jeremy, perhaps the most successful porn star of all time, could have been an infomercial promoter if he’d had a clean shaven face in younger years.
This ode to the mo has only gathered worldwide momentum as we look forward into Movember.

Yes Movember, formerly November, but some clever Aussies had a hand in energizing men’s cancer awareness.

Movember partners globally with Prostate Cancer Foundations to provide cancer research and support through fundraising efforts. The goal and vision was to create a campaign that will forever change the way men think about, discuss and treat their own health issues.

What health issues? Glad you asked. Prostate Cancer strikes one in six men in the United States. This means 28,000 men die from prostate cancer annually, and 218,890 were diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2007.

The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland surrounding part of the urethra. This gland makes and stores a component of semen. Because of the prostate’s location the flow of urine can be stopped or slowed if the prostate becomes inflamed and grows too large.
Vitamin E and selenium have proven to have a protective effect on the prostate’s health.

Vitamin E is found naturally highest in almonds, asparagus, avocado, nuts, olives, spinach, vegetable oils, and wheat germ.

Selenium is found naturally highest in kidney, tuna, crab and lobster in that order as well as traces in nuts, cereals, meat, fish and eggs.

Men over 65 represent about 70 percent of prostate cancer cases, but genetic factors play a role in men under 60.

The best option to ward off prostate cancer is screening tests which are recommended by the American Cancer Society in healthy males from age 50.

Symptoms of prostate cancer are typically urinary problems:

not being able to urinate;

difficulty starting or stopping the urine flow;

needing to urinate often, especially at night;

weak urine flow;

urine flow that starts and stops;

difficulty in having an erection;

pain or burning during urination;

blood in urine or semen;

frequent pain in lower back, hips, and upper thighs.

As men get older their prostate glands may grow bigger which can block the flow of urine and/or interfere with sexual function.

Men are 35% more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to develop breast cancer. So, after a month of pink power for breast cancer awareness in the month of October, it’s nice to have a ‘mo’ down in November for prostate cancer awareness.

So gentlemen, start your whiskers, and get your office, friends, and family to donate, and join thousands across the globe to fight against prostate cancer.

Ladies are invited to join the teams and contribute to fundraising efforts as well. As for the rules of Movember, you can enter as a team or solo on www.movember.com.

Movember Rules

Once registered each bro must start November 1st with a clean shaven face.

Then, for the entire month of Movember each mo bro must grow and groom a moustache.

You don’t talk about Movember outside Movember.

There are no beards.

There are no goatees.

A small complimentary growth under the bottom lip is allowed (aka a tickler, flavor savor, Fu Manchu).

There is however a disclaimer listed on http://www.movember.org. Movember Committee accepts no responsibility for lost jobs, rashes, food/beer encrustments or any other mishaps caused to the wearer (or his partner) of a Movember Moustache. You grew it yourself.

Now, perhaps the above disclaimer will worry a narcissistic few, but have no fear. Below are carefully formulated responses in the event you’re questioned about your mo.

Q. “Hey, John Doe! Nice to see you. What’s with the moustache?”

Possible Answers:

“I have a starring role in a porno film.”

“I’m Raising Money for charity”
“Movember!—say ‘mo nore’”

“It’s all part of my strategy to be taken less seriously”

“To pick up chicks”
“I wanted to look like your grandmother”

“I’m coming out of the closet”

“Ssshhh! I’m in disguise—you’re not meant to recognize me”

“It’s a fashion statement”

“I’m trying to appear more mature”

“I’m trying out for the police academy”

So now that you’re armed with possible responses you can proudly grow that mo knowing that you’ve joined a global force in an effort to find cures for prostate cancer.
Last year alone, 134,171 people joined the global challenge. This effort lead to $21,000,000 in donations for cancer research.

This global ‘mo’vement which began in Australia has grown to Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, the United States, and as of October 9th, a team from Uzbekistan joined. Once you start getting the ‘stan’ countries involved you know it’s a hit.

Global citizens aren’t the only ones getting involved in Movember. Many companies are sponsoring events and products, donating proceeds to cancer beneficiaries.

Heinz in Australia released a limited edition “Movember Big Red Sauce” Bottle and Men’s Health magazine has written about and sponsored Movember for years, as well as Schick shaving products.

Even in our own backyard, the HoDo will have a Movember party to celebrate Bros on Broadway on Movember 30, with bands, food, and prizes.

Grow it. Flow it. Show it. And gather donations. All you have to do is register online at http://www.movember.com and forward your team information to the HoDo, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Some Closing thoughts:

Alan Bennett, the playwright, wrote, “Everywhere one looks, decadence. I saw a bishop with a moustache the other day.”

I asked Australian pal Aaron Leiper, “What sort of man grows a mo.”

He responded, “He’s the first to be invited to a party and last to leave.”

With these thoughts in mind, join the great men of history with fine moustaches and become a great man yourself simply by growing out that stiff upper lip.