Why Movember Matters

I can’t believe it’s November already! In the U.S., November means colorful falling leaves, lots of turkey, and Starbucks pumpkin lattes. And now, it’s synonymous with Movember — you know, that time of year when many of your male colleagues “get fuzzy with it” and grow mustaches for money.

Movember is the only global charity focused solely on men’s health. It started in 2003 with 30 Australian friends challenged with growing mustaches during the month of November. Over the years the movement has grown tremendously, shining a spotlight on, and fundraising for, some of the biggest health issues faced by men.

Did you know:

• 10.8M men globally are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis?
• The most common cancer among young men globally is testicular cancer?
• Males account for more than 75% of all suicides?

This is such an important cause because men generally don’t talk, or take action, about their physical or mental health. According to the Movember Foundation, “Globally, men die on average 5 years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. Which means that it doesn’t have to be that way: we can all take action to live healthier, happier, and longer lives.”

I love that Movember is, literally, changing the face of men’s health — get what I did there? Today there are more than 6 million “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sisters” globally who raise millions to fund groundbreaking projects and programs to help spread awareness and accelerate change.

Hitachi Solutions proudly supports Movember — and not just the mustachioed among us. Beyond “Growing a Mo,” many of our employees participate in “Move for Movember” — running or walking 60 miles over the month for donations (60 is for the 60 men lost to suicide every hour around the world). Not only does this aide the cause, it also promotes a healthier lifestyle — so it’s a win-win.

I have also learned that there are many other ways to support Movember — over 1,000 different challenges! Some of the most popular ways to get involved include:

Veterans & First Responders Challenge

• First responders and military veterans are at increased risk of poor mental health and suicide. Movember funds 14 projects to support mental health of vets & first responders

Mo Wispy Lips Challenge

• Middle and high school students and teachers are banding together to help raise funds and awareness.

The LGBTQ Challenge

• Movember supports M.bodiment, a project created to help undress the body image stigmas currently prevalent within the LGBTQ community.

Please join Hitachi Solutions and participate in this awesome cause! For more information on how to “have fun and do good,” visit us.movember.com.

If you would like to learn more about the causes and programs we support at Hitachi Solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can also check out About Us on our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.