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Moustaches for a cause
Fort Simpson team supports Movember

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, November 29, 2012

LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Up until four years ago Jermaine Gargan had never grown a moustache. Then he heard about Movember.

Dave Magarey, a transplant to Fort Simpson from Adelaide, Australia, started the first Movember initiative in the village in 2009. Movember began in Australia as a way to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and men's health. For the month men are encouraged to grow moustaches.

Since then, the initiative, like Gargan's moustache, has grown in both the village and around the world. For the fourth year in a row, the Dehcho Mo Fos have registered as a team with Movember Canada. As of Nov. 27, the team of seven men from Fort Simpson, including Gargan, had raised $1,210. Other men in the community are also raising money for Movember.

The money raised across Canada will be used by Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada to fund programs related to prostate cancer and male mental health. The campaign is effective, said Gargan.

"Growing a moustache definitely raises awareness," he said.

Conversation starter

Gargan, who is helping to organize Movember in the village, said he's talked to approximately 20 people this year who weren't aware of the campaign. Moustaches are a conversation starter to get this information out, he said.

Justin Dalton, a first time member of the Dehcho Mo Fos, agrees that moustaches are an affective tool to help raise awareness and funds.

"It's something that's visible," he said.

Some moustaches, however, are more visible than others.

"It's pretty scarce," said Dalton about his moustache.

"If it wasn't for this I wouldn't be growing one," he said.

Some of Dalton's co-workers have suggested that using mascara to fill in his moustache couldn't hurt. Dalton, however, is unfazed.

"I feel the more hideous the moustache is the more likely people are to donate to you," he said.

Dalton, who works in the field of addictions and mental health, said he likes the fact that Movember has expanded from prostate cancer to also address men's mental health.

"Quite often we forget about the issues that men are faced with," he said.

To wrap up its fundraising efforts, the Dehcho Mo Fos will be holding its fourth annual gala on Nov. 30 at the Ice Breaker Lounger from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to live music by Randy Sibbeston and Friends, a number of activities have been planned.

Men and women are encouraged to dress in a costume that best complements their real or fake moustache. Gargan is going as a trapper. The man and woman with the best costume and moustache will be crowned Mr. and Mrs. Movember.

Gargan said his moustache has been getting better every Movember.

"It's definitely the thickest it's ever been," he said.

Gargan's moustache, however, may not last through the gala. There will also be a mo-off auction where people can bid to see men shave their moustaches during the event. Gargan said he's hoping for a large turnout at the gala.

"People are talking about it," he said.

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