Movember is a really great initiative and believe it not, there are loads of ways for women to get involved, namely by becoming a registered Mo Sista.
A Mo Sista is essentially any woman who wants to help her fellow Mo Bros throughout their tash growing journey. Growing a tash is a daunting prospect for many men so a Mo Sista can provide Bros with words of support, help to raise money and also encourage men to feel more comfortable talking about their health by raising awareness about prostate cancer. Plus, with so many Mo related activities taking place this month, it’s a great way to do some hands-on charity work.
One Mo Sista who has made the initiative her life’s work is Scottish campaigner Laura Mair. 25-year old Laura works as corporate and community engagement manager for the charity at their London head quarters and started working for the campaign when the founders first moved to London.
Movmber launched back in 2003 in a bar in Melbourne between a couple of friends who had been affected by the illness in some way and since then, the charity has raised millions for cancer charities including the Irish Cancer Society, their official health partner in Ireland.
Laura hard at work in Movember HQ in London
“Movember is essentially a grass roots movement so it’s all about getting out there and spreading the word” Laura reveals.” Last year, Movember donated €1.7 to the Irish Cancer Society and with over two and a half thousand men being diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Ireland, the money raised helps with research, treatment and after-care for survivors. Every woman has a man in her life, from a boyfriend to a brother so it affects everyone.”
Although November is the designated month when all the tash growing and public fundraising takes place, Laura works on the campaign full-time so spends the rest of the year getting high profile ambassadors on board and drumming up support with the general public. Her day can range from pitching Movember to a workforce in a corporate environment to visiting a rugby team to try and get the players on board.
Laura advises that the number one thing any potential Mo Sister needs to do is register on Movember.com as an official Mo Sista. It allows the charity to keep track of how many people are actually involved in fundraising and provides advice and handy tips for any events you want to plan yourself.
“It’s about educating Mo Sistas and letting girls know that they can play a role during Movember. We don’t advocate any woman to grow a tash herself but there are so many ways women can get involved and the support of women is crucial.”
So, even though we’re half way through the month and you might think that you can’t really help there are so many things you can do. Movember is all about having fun, supporting the Mo and raising awareness for a really great cause so what are you waiting for?
Other ways you can help:
If like us, you’re a fan of nail art and like nothing more than making a statement with your talons then you need to pay Dublin’s latest nail hotspot Tropical Popical on South William Street a visit. The team of leopard print clad ladies will donate €1 to Movmeber for every Mo manicure they do. Tropicalpopical.com
Say no to the lady mo at Waxperts in Dun Laoghaire. The expert waxing salon is famed for its specially formulated own brand wax and super hygienic waxing standards (no nasty double dipping) and are offering €8 upper lip waxes this month. Simply visit the salon’s Facebook page to claim your voucher. Waxperts.ie
Treat that special Mo Bro in your life to a Gillette product bearing the Movember sticker and the company will donate a portion of the profits from the sale to the Movember Ireland movement. Or what about swapping your lady razors for a heavy duty men’s one instead? We won’t tell if you don’t!
