Dubai
There are more than 10 million new cases of cancer worldwide every year, according to the World Cancer Report, a publication by the World Health Organisation on the global examination of the disease. The latest publication shows that cancer rates could increase to 15 million new cases by the year 2020.
Gulf News readers did their part to make a difference. They joined thousands of people from around the world in the month of November to raise awareness about testicular and prostate cancer, a cancer that forms in the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Marked as ‘Movember’, the campaign encourages men to grow a moustache to help gather funds for research and to help those suffering from cancer.
Mark Graham, a Dubai resident, was one of the participants.
He told Gulf News: “The company that I work for always participates in Movember. We registered our group on the Movember Foundation’s official website (www.movember.com). My team has 12 people and we all decided to grow spectacular moustaches and call ourselves the ‘Macrovember’. We used social media to spread the word and have managed to raise some money for charity.”
The purpose of the moustache is to be a conversation starter, which worked perfectly in Graham’s case.
He said: “It was a great experience. I don’t usually grow a moustache, so when people saw me they would ask about it and this gave me a chance to speak about the campaign. It was the best way to raise awareness. My wife was supportive along the way and even donated to our cause. I also have a baby and in the beginning he wasn’t very happy because I looked different, but now he’s gotten used to it.”
Graham’s team has already raised Dh4,000 and hope to gather a bit more before the end of the month.
Hisham Abbas, another Dubai resident, is also following a similar path.
He said: “All the men in my office are taking part in Movember. We decided to grow a moustache when November began and to spread the word among our friends and families. We hoped to educate as many people about prostate cancer. It was fun and easy for me because my colleagues were participating and five of my closest friends also followed suit.”
Abbas, who works for a real estate services company, says his organisation’s management is clued in to such causes and always encourages its employees to be supportive.
He said: “Last month, we took part in the pink movement to raise awareness about breast cancer. Every year we make sure that we do something for society. People are curious when they see a different face with a moustache and that leads to a conversation about men’s health. We were passionate about this movement because it allowed us to connect with others and helped in funding the best scientific and clinical minds in the world, fast tracking to a time when no man will die from prostate or testicular cancer.”
Abbas’ group also signed up on the official Movember website and shared the link on different online portals so as to get donations.
According to the National Cancer Institute based in the US, over 29,000 people have died this year in the US alone from prostate cancer. It is an important public health concern in countries. Thus, the Movember Foundation was set up in 2003.
Wissam Otaky found out about the movement two years ago and has since participated every year.
He said: “Through the month, I was growing a moustache like the rest of the Movember army. After I started, three colleagues and a few of my friends also joined in.”
Otaky has set up his own profile on the foundation’s official website and has so far raised around Dh3,300.
Social media is a commonly used platform to promote Movember. Imaad Ali Khan came across it on twitter and thought it would be fun to participate.
He said: “I noticed how people were celebrating ‘No Shave November’ and thought I should also be a part of it. It’s not complicated and could easily be a group effort. When people see you doing something good, they do follow suit and this helps bring people together. My clients at work started noticing that I was suddenly growing facial hair and questioned me about it. I’m proud to have been a part of such a campaign.”
Mike Barker, a new resident to Dubai, registered along with his business partner.
He said: “People do notice the change and ask us questions. Our efforts have raised a lot of awareness. I’ve spoken to so many people about it and even encouraged a few to grow a moustache. I’m also spreading the word through social media, tying in with Movember’s official UAE chapter. Additionally, at the end of the month, we’ve organised a special event for the men to have a ‘shave off’.”
Kunal Bilakhia uploaded his pictures on Instagram every day, with unique quotes, so as to get people to follow his Movember journey.
He said: “I asked my colleagues to join in, too, but I don’t think they wanted to attend meetings with a shabby stubble. However, I decided to go from the clean shaven look to a bearded one by the end of the month; all for a good cause.”
Bilakhia has been aware of the Movember initiative for the past three years. He first participated in 2012 and has been a member since.
There’s a common misconception that only men can take part in this month’s activities. But, Movember is not just for men. Women, or ‘Mo Sistas’, play a vital role by supporting and encouraging the men in their lives to get involved.
Aqsa Yahya took it upon herself to actively support the initiative.
She said: “I work at a hotel and we thought of doing a fun and quirky activity. We printed and cut out various moustaches, from styles such as the handlebar to the pencil style, and stuck those to the straws in the drinks being served. Guests had a great time posing with their moustaches and taking selfies. It’s amazing how much awareness this simple stunt managed to raise. Many of the guests told us that they found out about Movember because of our initiative and some even mentioned that they would be donating to the cause. Two of them were growing facial hair through the month, too!”
