Movember celebrates 20 years of the global movement this year. Founded in 2003 by two pals in an Australian pub, Movember was created with one goal in mind, to stop men dying too young.
Prioritising funding to three of the biggest health issues affecting men globally: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, Movember has invested over €300 million in 600 biomedical research projects, funded 4 prostate cancer registries with over 200,000 men enrolled from 19 countries, and made the moustache a must have accessory for the month of November.
As part of the 2023 campaign, Movember is announcing a yearlong partnership with Ireland’s leading mobility app, FREENOW.
To launch the collaboration, Movember and FREENOW teamed up with TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea, Love Hate actor, John Connors, TV presenter and influencer, James Patrice, and model and actor, Carl Shaaban, to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues.
Movember wants everyone to start the conversation around key topics including mental health and suicide prevention, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.
- 1 in 8 men in Ireland will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
- 170 men in Ireland are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year.
- According to CSO data, suicides rate in men in 2020 were 14.2 per 100,000*
- Suicide is the leading cause of death in men in Ireland aged between 15 and 29
- 15% of FREENOW driver partners say they regularly come across passengers who are struggling with their mental health
- 68% of FREENOW driver partners say that having a chat with a passenger has a positive impact on their own mental health & wellbeing.
Throughout the month of November and right through to the end of February 2024, FREENOW passengers will be able to show their support for Movember through FREENOW’s Round Up to Donate in-app feature, which allows passengers to round up their trip to the nearest euro with the difference being donated directly to Movember.
Photograph: Leon Farrell / © Photocall Ireland
In Ireland, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and approximately 170 men in Ireland are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. Most testicular cancer occurs in men under 45 years. These cancers are highly treatable but early detection and awareness of the symptoms is key.
According to CSO data, suicides rate in men in 2020 were 14.2 per 100,000* compared to the female suicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000*. Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged between 15 and 29 in Ireland, and over the past two decades, middle-aged men (aged 45–54) in Ireland have experienced the highest average suicide rate of any age group.
The public can get involved this November by taking part in one of Movember’s fundraising challenges, which include growing a moustache for the month of November, walking, or running 60km across the month or hosting a mo-ment to raise awareness for men’s health issues.
Sarah Ouellette, Country Manager for Ireland at Movember, said: “Movember has long been committed to changing the face of men’s health, and through this partnership with FREENOW, we are expanding our reach and awareness in new and exciting ways. We invite all FREENOW passengers, driver partners and people all across Ireland to join us this Movember by donating, fundraising, or initiating those crucial conversations about men’s health to save lives.”
Commenting on the launch, FREENOW campaign ambassador, TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea said “I am delighted to team up with FREENOW to launch its partnership with Movember.
Since it launched, Movember has done fantastic work in raising awareness for men’s health issues and opening up the conversation around mental health. There can be a reluctance for men to talk about their health – physical or mental. By creating a conversation around the subject, we can hopefully continue to break down the perceived taboos around talking about these issues.
Movember 2023 is calling on you to join the Order of Mo this November to change the face of men’s health.
Raise funds. Save lives. Sign up now: ie.movember.com
Featured Image: DublinTown’s Clyde Carroll with TV presenter and influencer, James Patrice; TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea; Christian Hoey of Sam’s Barbers, and Love Hate actor, John Connors
Photograph: Leon Farrell / © Photocall Ireland
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