A raft of MPs have backed a quirky campaign to help raise
awareness and funds for prostate cancer during the month formerly
known as November.
At least fourteen MPs from across the three main parties have
been growing and nurturing moustaches over the month to
support Movember - which aims to change the face of men's health by
raising awareness of prostate cancer and other men's health
issues.
Alongside a quarter of a million men across the UK these MPs
have become walking, talking billboards, using their moustaches to
put prostate cancer firmly on the agenda during November.
Furthermore, over 50 MPs, including three 'Mo-Sistas'(2) have signed an Early Day Motion
in Parliament in support of the campaign, which has successfully
raised millions of pounds for research into prostate cancer and for
programmes to support people affected by the disease.
- John Leech MP (Liberal Democrat, Withington, Manchester) said:
"We men are so often shy of talking about our health and Movember
is a brilliant way to get diseases like prostate cancer out in the
open. I hope that by wearing my Mo I've helped to get many more men
to start thinking about their health, whilst also raising money to
help The Prostate Cancer Charity continue to fund research and
provide the support men and their families need to cope with this
disease."
- Ian Mearns MP (Labour, Gateshead) said "I am acutely aware
that, to date, prostate cancer has not received the profile or
research funding necessary to tackle the disease head on. I
praise the work of Movember in putting prostate cancer firmly on
the public agenda. Not only are millions of people talking about
the disease but they are also raising funds for The Prostate Cancer
Charity, enabling them to fund vital research and provide top class
support services for men and their families affected by the
disease."
- Jason McCartney MP (Conservative, Colne Valley) said: "Well
it's been an itchy time but having a Mo has been a great talking
point. I've had many conversations about prostate cancer over the
past month and my reasons for taking part in such a quirky
campaign. It has been a great movement to be a part of to make sure
men's health issues, especially prostate cancer, are kept right
under people's noses!"
A newly-hirsute Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate
Cancer Charity, said: "There have been some hairy moments, but as
the moustache season draws to a close it's great to know that so
many MPs have been through this journey with me, and that many more
have signalled their support for the campaign. Although prostate
cancer is the most common cancer in men, it lags behind other
common cancers, both in terms of investment in research and in
awareness. The fact that so many politicians have shown their
support just goes to show how Movember is helping us to redress
this balance and put the disease firmly in the spotlight. "
Since its humble beginnings in Australia in 2003, Movember has
grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1
million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate worldwide so far.
Last year over 111,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the UK
raised an amazing £11.7 million. These funds have helped support
The Prostate Cancer Charity's vital work fighting prostate cancer
on every front - through research, support, information and
campaigning. This year a hair raising 250,000 men and women
have taken part across the UK with at least £14 million raised
already.