REGINA - With the calendar changing from Oct. to Nov., the non-profit organization Movember is kicking off its campaign in Regina.
Over the next 30 days, Movember participants will start with no facial hair and grow a moustache during November to support the organization.
Movember ambassador Adam Kletchko discussed the reasoning behind growing out a moustache. "The moustache acts as kind of a walking billboard for men's health, or a hairy ribbon, that drives conversations around men's health, and then also raises funds for those key areas as well."
Those key areas focus on men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Of those areas, Kletchko believes mental health is the area that needs the most attention. He said men tend to think they need to be strong, hold in their feelings, and not be open.
Mental health struggles can lead to bigger issues, including suicide. According to Canadian government, suicide rates for men are three times higher than for women. He added men, on average, die four years before the average woman does.
Kletchko hopes the men participating in this event can learn to be more open and help those who need a push regarding crucial conversations.
He also wants men to get themselves checked out by taking regular physicals to identify potential prostate or testicular cancer in their early stages to avoid serious health risks.
To spread the word about cancer, Kletchko and his team participate in meetings held by the local prostate cancer support network in Regina to help raise awareness.
Movember also receives support from organizations across Regina and Saskatchewan, including local paramedics, fire departments, FC Regina and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
Last year alone, the Regina Paramedics raised over $18,000, with the goal this year to raise $15,000.
Kletchko himself has raised over $30,000 since joining the organization in 2010. The reason he joined the non-profit group was that during the launch of Movember Canada in 2007, Kletchko saw ads for the organization online and over the TV and thought growing a moustache would be a fun idea, so he challenged his co-workers at the time to see who could grow the best moustache. Over time, his interest peaked even further, leading to him joining Movember in 2010.
Throughout working for Movember for 15 years, Kletchko hears stories of hardship from many around Regina.
Movember Canada is based in Toronto, and the team in Sask. is a lot smaller and has no headquarters to call home.
Despite having a small team, Kletchko wants to expand its network across the province and potentially the prairies.
Kletchko is determined to look ahead and collaborate with his team to plan out the next steps.
