‘Movember’ fundraiser sees dip in donations in 2015

HALIFAX – Funding for Movember across the country is down, but that’s not stopping Nova Scotian’s from dusting their top lips for the cause.

The Movember Foundation is a global charity, committed to men’s health. During the month of November, men grow moustaches or beards and raise funds and awareness for various men’s health causes, including prostate cancer research and mental health work.

Connor Ross is a member of one of several Dalhousie University teams taking part. His team has raised $27,000. of the $55,000 teams from Dal have raised this year.

“We’re happy to be the number one (university) team in Canada right now. We’re number one in the Big Moustache on Campus Challenge which features all of the university teams and we’re 15th overall in Canada behind major oil companies and banks,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're happy to be the number one (university) team in Canada right now. We're number one in the Big Moustache on Campus Challenge which features all of the university teams and we're 15th overall in Canada behind major oil companies and banks," he said.

WATCH BELOW: Alex Haider talks Movember 2015 wrap up on The Morning News

Since 2003, $677-million has been raised supporting more than 1,000 projects. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and its research sees a great boost from Movember money.

“They are our biggest donor and they forward millions of dollars to us and the money that Movember forwards to Prostate Cancer Canada is specifically used for research,” says Peter Mallette, executive director of Prostate Cancer Canada, Atlantic Division.

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Unfortunately, donations across Canada are down, from $42-million in 2012 to $13-million so far this year. Dalhousie teams raised 90-thousand dollars last year, their best year ever, but just over half that amount this year.

“We had a fairly big number of students involved last year,” says Ross.

“We know that with the economy, that charity dollars would go down.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We know that with the economy, that charity dollars would go down."

“Dalhousie has done traditionally very, very well with Movember fund-raising. So well, last year, that one of the awards they received was a seminar from Chris Hadfield,” Malette said.

For the cause, Melvin Tibert had his beard shaved off for the first time since he was able to grow a beard. Mallette and Ross also contributed to the cause this year, donating money and growing a ‘stache.

“I’ve determined that I feel much younger and act much younger than all of the grey in my moustache,” says Mallette.

“It’s always fun growing some facial hair and doing it for a good cause and starting conversations about men’s health,” Ross said.

There’s still time to donate before the campaign ends.