We recently chatted with our talent attraction lead and captain of the ProntoForms (now TrueContext) Movember team, Anthony Scafidi. He kindly provided insight into what the Movember campaign means to him and why individuals and organizations should support this initiative.
What is Movember?
The Movember campaign raises money to support awareness around men’s health issues, including testicular and prostate cancer, and suicide prevention. The statistics are unfortunate:
- 2 out of 3 suicides are by men.
- Men typically die 4 years earlier than women in Canada.
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men.
So many people will feel the impact of these issues, yet most of these statistics can be prevented through better education. That’s why we grow a mustache each November and campaign for the cause.
Why is Movember important to you?
Besides the feeling of sporting a stash, I strongly support the cause for many reasons. I have known people who have suffered from mental health issues and suicide. I have also experienced some of the psychological and physical health issues that Movember draws attention to.
The pressure to be a “man” can sometimes overwhelm people. Men can be afraid to seek help out of fear of looking weak. This perception needs to change. We must better encourage men to ask for help and talk more openly about their emotions and challenges. One good way to do this is to remember the acronym ALEC:
- Ask how he is feeling.
- Listen to what he’s saying and don’t judge.
- Encourage action and help him focus on the simple things.
- Check-In in person, with a call or message.
How does Movember work with ProntoForms’ (now TrueContext’s) core value of caring? How has it contributed in past years?
This year will be ProntoForms’ (now TrueContext’s) third Movember. In that time, we have raised over 7,510$—funds that go directly to making a difference. From hosting competitive charity events to pro-bono work with non-profits, we consistently strive to show care for our customers, our community, and our employees. I’m proud of that. This year we are excited to be back in the office and hold exciting events to engage more employees and show how much we care about the cause.
What’s the best way to take part?
The best way is to reach out to a man in your life for a health and wellness check. The Canadian Movember page, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention are all excellent places to go for resources.
Besides that, you can go to our Movember page by clicking the banner below where people have been contributing with funds or physical exercise. Also, to spread awareness, you can always grow your own mustache or encourage someone else to!
