Time to start on the mo, guys

Cape Town - 120924 - The first ever National Braai Day celebration event took place at the Hamilton's Rugby Club in Green Point, Cape Town. The event, presented by Good Hope FM and Savanna, included shows various local artists such as Die Heuwels Fantasties, Jack Parow and Mi Casa. Pictured is Jack Parow with his new braai sauce. Reporter: Neo Maditla PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE

Cape Town - 120924 - The first ever National Braai Day celebration event took place at the Hamilton's Rugby Club in Green Point, Cape Town. The event, presented by Good Hope FM and Savanna, included shows various local artists such as Die Heuwels Fantasties, Jack Parow and Mi Casa. Pictured is Jack Parow with his new braai sauce. Reporter: Neo Maditla PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE

Published Nov 1, 2012

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Cape Town - Pack away your razors, trimmers or, for the less faint-hearted, your pots of wax. Movember is upon us.

For 30 days, tens of thousands of men will grow their moustaches to highlight men’s cancer health issues.

And leading the charge is Afrikaans rapper from Bellville, Captain Jack Parow. He is rounding up his team of Parowtroopers and through Movember is raising funds for the Cancer Association of SA (Cansa).

While the motivation for team Parowtroopers is to “change the face of men’s health”, it’s more personal for the musician. Eight years ago his father died of prostate cancer, aged 65.

This is why, he says, he was always going to be an ambassador. He has already been an ambassador for Movember Holland, and now represents the campaign in South Africa.

While most men have to start growing their snors (moustaches) at the start of November, Parow is one step ahead. “I’m just going to keep growing it. Every month is Movember for me.”

Technically, the rules of Movember state that men must start the month clean shaven, and then let it grow for 30 days.

Among those who have already pledged support and will be growing their manly moustaches are rugby Springboks Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Andries Bekker, Frans Steyn and Dean Greyling.

Celebrity chef Pete Goffe-Wood and soccer star Ryan Botha will also be sprouting facial hair in support of men’s health.

This is the fourth year the charity drive is officially being hosted in SA, and organisers anticipate that it will attract 30 000 registrations.

Organisers have dubbed 2012 the year of Movember & Sons and the focus is on what it means to be a better man.

Movember SA country manager Garron Gsell says Movember & Sons is about passing knowledge back and forth.

“You spend half of your life having knowledge passed down from your dad and your elders, then later in life you start passing knowledge back up,” says Gsell.

“By growing mos, we’re sharing knowledge about prostate and testicular cancers. It will see men in South Africa and around the globe spread awareness while raising funds for Cansa’s men’s health programmes.”

The campaign will see men become hairy-faced walking, talking billboards for men’s health issues – creating awareness and educating about the reality and prevalence of prostate and testicular cancers.

It’s known that men are less aware of their own health issues, and Gsell says many take a “head in the sand” approach.

That is why Mo sistas are just as important as Mo bros – “although they don’t grow mos”, Gsell says.

“Women are pivotal. The women in our lives suggest we need to go see the doctor. They need to start the conversation – and get registered to support the men in their lives.

“Our key message is to change the face of men’s health by getting men and women to join the Movember & Sons business and register.”

Participants are invited to post pictures and document their journey, or support their favourite “moustache merchants” on their Mo Space pages.

Last year in SA, 18 000 men and women registered, and R4.9 million was raised.

Movember was founded in 2003 by four friends in Melbourne, Australia, and since then the campaign has grown to 856 000 Mo bros and sistas from 14 countries. In 2011 globally, about R949m was raised.

In SA, Movember has partnered with Cansa and all funds raised will go to Cansa’s men’s health programmes for prostate and testicular cancers.

According to the National Cancer Registry, more than 4 000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in SA each year, and over 2 500 men will die. It is also the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 35, but it can occur at any age.

Parow says that even though testing may cause discomfort, it’s something all men must do. “The quicker you find something, the quicker you can get treatment and you’ll have a better chance of surviving. Go for your check-up!” he urged. - Cape Argus

* To register and for more information, visit www.movember.com

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