It’s been another successful year for the Rowe Mo’ Bros and Sistas, the Dalhousie Commerce team for the national Movember campaign.
For the third year in a row, the team has raised more than any other university team in Canada, winning the Big Moustache on Campus award. With a few days still to go for donations, the Rowe Mo’s have raised over $30,000 — approximately twice as much as their nearest campus competitor.
The team is one of several from across Dalhousie taking part in the campaign.
Connor Ross, captain of the Rowe team and the main Dalhousie representative for Movember, is himself the third-ranked student fundraiser in the country. Movember is important to Connor: “I know a lot of people have been touched by cancer, and by mental health issues as well. I know I have.”
While the Movember initiative was originally dedicated to prostate cancer research, the focus has widened since its inception in 2003. “It expanded towards men’s health issues generally, including testicular cancer, physical activity and men’s mental health,” explains Connor. “People could relate to these issues. Why not benefit all four of these causes that don’t get enough focus?”
With 120 Commerce students registered on this year’s team, it’s obvious that Movember strikes a chord with others as well. “Movember really speaks to students, I feel,” says Connor. “I think it separates itself because it is such a fun and engaging campaign. You get to grow facial hair; you get to be noticed.” And while he appreciates that the campaign raises awareness for health issues unique to men, he notes that women are also active fundraisers for Movember.
Many ways to get involved
This year, the Rowe Mo’ team raised funds through a variety of projects, and Connor feels it’s been the best year yet in terms of events. They included a “shave-down” before the month started, a night at Taboo lounge, a special fundraising day sponsored by Visa and a closing gala. The Rowe team also hosted bubble soccer, yoga and a group walk as part of its “30 Moves” effort, focusing on physical activity.
Students Luke Bradica and Margot Thomas at the Movember table.
“We had at least one activity each week to increase awareness and encourage people to do their own physical activities outside of the campaign,” explains Connor. “Whether it’s playing ping pong for 30 minutes or going for a 30-minute walk, we focused on 30 minutes of a physical activity per day.”
The team’s hard work paid off, with the Rowe Mo’s on track to raise about as much as the team did last year — despite a generally difficult year for the national campaign. “With the economy this year, Movember in general has taken a hit,” says Ross. “I’m extremely proud of our campaign, especially considering circumstances like the economy. And to raise that much with only 120 members was amazing.”
Connor hopes that Movember participation in the Faculty of Management will increase in the coming years. He is eager to participate again, although he won’t be doing it with the Rowe Mo’ Bros and Sistas: he graduates in May and will be looking into a career or a second degree, likely in Toronto or Calgary. As for the Movember follow-up, Connor shaved off his moustache on December 1 and isn’t looking back. He notes that some of his teammates will be holding onto theirs a bit longer, perhaps over the holiday break: “I think a lot of people will be going home to their moms with moustaches.”
To donate to the Rowe Mo’ Bros and Sistas, visit their website by December 9.
Movember across Dal
The Rowe Mo' Bros and Sistas may have raised the most money of any Dalhousie team, but there are several others who've been putting aside the razor for the past month. Together, they've added more than $10,000 additional dollars to the Movember pot — over $3,000 of those dollars from Dal's second most successful team, Facilities Management's "Facial Management." Dal teams to have raised $300 or more include: