Check out if Movember Foundation is in The Top 100 NGOs 2013 Edition!

Changing ‘the face’ of men’s health.

Approaching 2 million participants globally.

Attention to men’s health issues has increasingly emerged as a societal ‘gap’ – as one prominent British doctor explains, ‘men are not good at seeking medical help or recognizing when they have a health problem’. It was recognition of the need to change established male habits and attitudes concerning health – as a means to improve early detection, diagnosis and treatment – that drove the Movember Foundation to initiate what has become one of the most innovative and effective awareness raising and fundraising campaigns in recent history. 

The organization’s simple strategy is encapsulated in its pithy slogan ‘changing the face of men’s health’. Each November becomes ‘Movember’ – a month when ‘Mo Bros’ secure sponsorship for their moustache growing efforts, in the process becoming walking, talking billboards for the issue of men’s health. 

While the appeal of Movember may seem trivial, the results have been anything but. Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne in 2003 with 30 participants, Movember has grown exponentially to become a truly global movement. As of 2011, close to 2 million people had participated, with formal campaigns in ten countries. In fundraising terms, this has amounted to more than $280 million directed towards prostrate cancer research, depression initiatives and health education.

(Photo © Movember Foundation)