This might be the last week we see Jasper's men cleanly shaved—at least for a month, anyway.
Movember, a month devoted to raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer, begins Sunday, Nov. 1, and that means guys will soon start cultivating their upper lip foliage to get people talking about men's health.
Since 2003, the Movember Foundation has raised $677 million to fund more than 1,000 programs focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. Those programs range from local health programs to groundbreaking international research projects.
In Jasper, the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre has taken on the cause for the second year in a row, creating a Movember team that will grow its whiskers to raise funds for the Movember Foundation, as well as the Jasper Cancer Action and Support Group and the Alberta Urology Institute Foundation.
As well as fielding a team of mo growers, the Sawridge will also be hosting numerous events throughout the month and offering special drinks at Champs Lounge, with proceeds going toward Movember.
The Sawridge picked up the cause last year after Pierre Frigon, the sales manager for the hotel, was diagnosed with prostate cancer during an annual check up.
Frigon’s cancer was diagnosed early with a blood test that showed his prostate-specific antigens (PSAs) were unusually high. A few months later, he was already in the hospital undergoing surgery.
Eighteen months later, he said he's feeling well and his tests are all coming back clean.
“In this day and age, no one should die of prostate cancer or testicular cancer. All of the warning signs are there,” said Frigon, noting that the only reason men continue to die from these cancers is because they often opt out of routine checkups.
Because of that, often when the cancer is found, it's progressed to a stage where it's already become life-threatening.
“The only way to counteract this is with awareness,” he said.
Frigon hopes through events and moustaches, that awareness will grow and men will start taking a proactive approach to their health.
This year, as well as donating funds to the Movember Foundation, funds will also be donated locally and provincially, with a portion going to the Jasper Cancer Action and Support Group and to the Alberta Urology Institute Foundation.
The cancer action group helps Jasperites who have recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Frigon said when he was diagnosed, it wasn't long before a cheque arrived in his mailbox to help him with the cost of travel to his medical appointments.
He called the group a “hero organization” and admitted it took him a few months to cash the cheque, but ultimately he was grateful for it.
The Alberta Urology Institute Foundation raises funds for the Alberta Urology Institute in Edmonton to carry out research and education pertaining to urologic diseases, like prostate and testicular cancers.
Frigon said it was important to him that this year's Movember campaign be broadened to include local charities and he hopes that Jasperites will support all three causes, either by joining the Sawridge Inn's Movember team, or by attending events throughout the month.
Like last year, the month of fundraising and awareness will come to a close with a Movember Gala.
This year it will take place on Nov. 21 at the Sawridge Inn. As well as a moustache contest, there will also be live and silent auctions taking place, and a dinner prepared by the culinary team from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
There will also be a presentation by Alberta's leading urologist and by a local Jasperite who will talk about what it's like to watch a family member live with a severe form of cancer.
The evening will wrap up with a stand-up routine by a YukYuks comedian.
To purchase a ticket for the Movember Gala, visit the front desk at the Sawridge Inn and Concerence Centre. They will be on sale for $60 from Nov. 1 to Nov. 18.
The Sawridge Movember team is still canvassing the town for silent auction donations and welcomes any businesses to get in touch between now and Nov. 21.
The goal is to raise $15,000.
Nicole Veerman
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