OTTAWA – Organizers of Movember say they expect the death of NDP leader Jack Layton will inspire more men than ever to join the popular moustache-growing fundraiser.
The month-long prostate cancer fundraising drive begins today, with men across the country growing moustaches from scratch or support someone in his efforts.
Layton, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2010 and died of an undisclosed second type of cancer Aug. 22, likely had one of the most famous moustaches in Canada. He was also a supporter of Movember, having donated $1,000 to the cause last year.
Joining the Movember movement will give many a chance to do something in Layton’s honour, said the organization’s national director.
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“Whether it’s about getting themselves checked, whether it’s about growing a mo and raising funds, whether it’s talking about getting your health, I think Jack is going to inspire a lot of people to take a little more time to pay attention to their health,” said Peter Bombaci.
Movember Canada will be creating a Jack Layton memorial team this year that all Canadians can join, allowing them to collectively raise money in Layton’s memory, Bombaci said.
“We’ve had a lot of outreach from people who are going to be doing it for Jack,” he said.
NDP MP Peter Stoffer said he will shave his moustache off and re-grow it as part of the fundraiser, and will actively encourage other MPs and Hill staffers to join him.
If Layton, who ate healthy and exercised regularly, could develop cancer, then anyone could, and that’s what makes PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests and early identification so key, Stoffer said.
“He’ll be in my thoughts when I go through the month of November,” Stoffer said.
Movember is marking its fifth year in Canada.
Last year, 119,000 Canadians raised $22.3 million for Prostate Cancer Canada, which has to date raised $76 million.
The money has been used to fund genetic research, develop treatments and create a global information-sharing network for researchers, clinicians and prostate cancer organizations.
More than 25,000 new cases of prostate cancer are expected this year in Canada, but the majority of cases are curable if detected and treated in their earliest stages.
(Originally published September 2011)
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