Celebrating Movember @AISL

“The state of men’s health is in crisis. Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. Prostate cancer rates will double in the next 15 years. Testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50. Three-quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute.” - Movember Foundation.

You may have noticed some teachers sporting more facial hair this month. No, you did not step into a time machine taking you back to the 1970's. You have probably run into a member of the Lusaka League of Extraordinary Moustaches, a group of AISL teachers, students and community members who have joined a global movement known as Movember.

Starting on November 1st, this group that includes Russ Menard, Tony Potts, Ty Smeins, Kevin Frederick, Marin Dobson, Mark Cormack, Wayne Thompson, Frank Louw, Nathan Chilton, Martin Mikus, Adam Kim, and Rob Martin started growing a moustache to raise awareness and funding for such men’s health concerns as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. From humble beginnings in Australia in 2003, the Movember movement has grown to be a truly global one, inspiring support from over 5 million “Mo Bros” and their “Mo Sistas” around the world. According to the Movember Foundation website, they have funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world since its inception. By 2030 they aim to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.

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You have probably seen these mo's around campus...!

How can you support our team? Watch this short introductory video and read more about the great work of the Movember Foundation on their website. You can also donate to our team via our Movember team page. We have nearly doubled the amount raised last year! However, we are striving to raise even more money in our final week. Please consider a donation to this worthy cause and support the Lusaka League of Extraordinary Moustaches. See the green ‘Donate to team’ tab on our team page. Finally, consider joining us next year as we strive to build more awareness on these important health issues facing men - and grow cool facial hair!

​Rob Martin, EAL Teacher

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