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Movember - Grow Your Mo For Prostate Cancer Awareness

By
Home Stager with Dezigner Digz

 

Worldwide Prostate Cancer support groups are encouraging men to grow a moustache (also known as a Mo) for the month of November.  The campaign is known as Movember and is a way to help bring awareness to prostate cancer and raise funds for research.  Women are also encouraged to help get the word out about the Mo campaign.  I wanted to join the cause too by sporting a Mo.  Although I'm approaching the age where dear old Mother Nature will soon take care of growing a real one for me [sigh], for now, a virtual moustache will have to do.

To help bring a little awareness to prostate cancer, for the month of November I'll be using this profile picture on my Active Rain blog posts.  At the beginning of each blog post, I'll include a link to this post so that people can see what the moustache is all about.  I know it's not much, but if it helps to bring awareness to the cause and even encourages one person to go and get checked out, it will be well worth it. 

Did you know that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime?  Those are staggering odds.  Even higher than the odds of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer (1 in 9); yet we never seem to hear too much about prostate cancer.  I must admit that I was one of the many that are not aware of its prevalence.  It wasn't until someone very close to me was recently diagnosed, that this point was driven home.  Thankfully, it was found early. 

The good news about prostate cancer?  Okay, "The C Word" is never good news, however, prostate cancer is one of the most successfully treated cancers if it's caught early enough.  Please encourage every male close to you to speak with their doctor about having a PSA test every year as part of their annual physical.  It's a simple test done through blood work.  You could save someone's life.

Last year's Canadian Mo campaign was the second largest in the world behind Australia with 35,156 'Mo Bros and Mo Sistas' (as they're called) joining the cause.  They raised $7.8 million for Prostate Cancer Canada!

Mike Mueller invited me to join his group on the Movember site so I joined today.  Our team is called Mo Tivated.  We're trying to help raise funds for the cause.  Click here if you want to check it out.     

Now go ahead, grow that Mo (even if it's just a virtual one like mine)!

-------

 

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Charlene, my best friend's husband died of prostate cancer, not caught in time. 

Nov 03, 2010 12:25 PM
Bob Willis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent

No virtual moustache.  I started growing a real one this morning at about 5:15 a.m. (when I shaved, but didnt' realize it was starting).  Many of you ladies may not realize it, but when a man starts growing a new 'stash, it can be quite a conversation starter.  Once it becomes noticeable, it will prompt conversations about prostate cancer and this campaign.  Thank you.

Nov 03, 2010 12:46 PM
Judy Jennings
Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA
Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Charlene - This is a great post. Lost my Dad to prostate cancer almost 3 years ago. Also had a friend who went in for an annual exam and they had scheduled the PSA test by mistake, so he had it done anyway. Turns out he had a tumor. After surgery and treatment, he is now cancer free. He was in his mid 40's and the picture of health. You just never know.

Nov 03, 2010 01:49 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Charlene, you are a cutie with YOUR moustache. A great cause so since I have a beard and moustache already maybe I should shave mine off??

Nov 03, 2010 03:07 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Charlene, interesting that this month follows a month about women - I did not know about this. My husband is a prostate cancer survivor and cancer free for over 12 years. Every man should have a PSA every year just like women have a pap smear.

Nov 03, 2010 03:48 PM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Stephanie,

Did the mustache thing many years ago. Will have to do something else. :)

Steve

Nov 03, 2010 04:12 PM
Brett Pehrson
Advanced Funding Home Mortgage, NMLS#13287 - Salt Lake City, UT

Charlene,

I was ironically unaware ironically that November was prostate cancer awareness month.  But, it definitely is more prevalent than most people think; I was once told that every man will get prostate cancer, if he lives long enough...don't know if that's true, or not, though.

Interestingly enough, a lot of men I know suddenly started growing moustaches and beards these last few months, including myself.  They're surprisingly difficult to grow for some of us...but, I think I'm covered for the month of November.  Bob (#32) is right; they are a great conversation starter when you're starting one.

I'll do my part to create awareness on this important issue.  Thanks for the post!

Nov 03, 2010 06:29 PM
David Langlois
One Percent Realty Vancouver Island - Victoria, BC

Well MoSista - thank-you from a MoBro - I'll be posting my first pictorial update soon!

Nov 03, 2010 07:08 PM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Rebecca - I'm so sorry to hear that.  Early detection is so important.  I hope this post encourages a few men to go and get checked out.

Nov 04, 2010 10:47 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Bob - Good for you!  It definitely would be a conversation starter - a great way to break the ice on a very important topic.  You're welcome.

Nov 04, 2010 10:49 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Judy - I am so sorry to hear about your Dad.  Since I started this discussion on Active Rain, I can't believe how many people have been touched by prostate cancer.

What an amazing story about your friend.  Can you imagine if they hadn't made that scheduling mistake?  Thank you for sharing your stories.   

Nov 04, 2010 10:55 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Gary - Why thank you Sir :-)  There's an idea!  Or, you could shave off just the beard and keep your moustache.

Nov 04, 2010 10:57 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Sharon - That's very encouraging news!  Thank you for sharing your story.  You're right, men should get a PSA test every year.

Nov 04, 2010 10:59 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Steve - Did you?  Good for you!  I hope you come up with something else.  Let us know if you do.  Maybe you'll start a new trend :-) 

Nov 04, 2010 11:10 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Brett - I believe that's true.  That's what the doctor told us.  Thanks for doing your part to create awareness!

Nov 04, 2010 11:12 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

David - You're welcome, and thank you to you too MoBro.  Stop by and post your pictorial here so everyone can see it!

Nov 04, 2010 11:18 AM
Todd & Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Beaumont, CA
Broker / REALTORS®
Charlene - Yes, I WAS wondering what the "Mo" was for! This is a great idea! Thanks for letting us in on this great cause!
Nov 18, 2010 10:30 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Garrigus Real Estate - You're very welcome.  I hope I have brought some attention to the cause.

Nov 19, 2010 04:30 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

I knew waht you "MO" was-great cause, good to bring awareness for the disease that can be so treatable when found early!

Nov 21, 2010 05:32 PM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Cathy - Yes, I hope my post has helped to bring awareness to the cause.  Eight more days and I can "shave off" my virtual moustache :-)

Nov 22, 2010 04:10 AM