Movember 2009

I have been hugely negligent in my upkeep on this blog. Time go get back into it and start my rantings again.

And what better way to get back at it than to discuss a cause that me, my colleagues at the office and many many more around the world are active participants this year. Movember.  Movember is basically where men around the globe grow really bad dirt moustaches throughout the month of November to raise awareness and cash for men’s health issues, predominantly Prostate Cancer. For more background on Movember you can check them out HERE. So, here is my reason for going through the ribbing and ridicule (you know who you are out there). I still think I’m dead sexy, dirt moustache or not!

Some of you may know, most of you will not, that I lost my father to cancer just over a year ago. It wasn’t prostate cancer, but rather lung. Yup, he smoked for 45 years (smoking is bad kids) and in the end it caught up with him. This is how life goes. I love him. I miss him. And all that other mushy crap. Let me tell you, watching someone die of lung cancer can be ugly. He was diagnosed a few days before my birthday and Christmas, and given 4-6 months. Guess he decided to split the difference and lasted 5. The narcotic cocktails ingested can sometimes be hilarious, but usually just sad to see your dad stoned out of his head sitting on the couch so he won’t feel the pain. In the end, most of the time was good time and up until about the last week, he was functional and more or less with it. The last day, gasping for air like a fish in a boat was less cool. Getting the call at 3am to come and lift your dad up in his last days because he went on a walkabout and collapsed, or changing him because he has lost control of his body and pissed all over himself isn’t fun either, I don’t wish it on any of you.  I thank whatever God you choose to believe in that mom is a nurse who retired to take care of him and that dad had the opportunity to die in the comfort of his own home surrounded by people he loved. 

With all that said, I am still leery of the big Cancer fundraising machine. Call me a wing nut, a conspiracy theorist, or what have you, but so much money is raised and wasted on advertising, admin costs etc that it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth (donations in lieu of flowers from dad’s passing went nowhere near cancer research – it all went to animal shelters). With Movember, I’m trying to be less cynical particularly for a cancer that is not generally caused by bad habits and personal choices. Plus, along with raising awareness and cash, it is really a fun bonding experience with the guys.

Our office is hosting a fundraising party on November 26 at the St. Regis Pub in Downtown Vancouver. Cost is $20 for burger, beer, and fries. Door prizes and silent auction too! Plus, we are wicked fun, just saying. If you can’t make it, or prefer to donate to my cause, and attend, you can visit my MOVEMBER DONATION PAGE. All amounts are appreciated.

And without further ado, I know everyone wants to see some pictures.

Day 0 – November 1, 2009

Day 3 – November 4, 2009

Day 5 – November 6, 2009

Day 9 – November 10, 2009

So there is progress so far. Here is a beauty for you too. This is what happens when you decide Movember was a little too fun and you decide to just keep going.

Here is one of last year’s Movember team at our wrap up party in the office.

And finally, one of dad, pimpin the ’stache that I never once in my life saw him without.

Tags: cancer, fundraising, movember, prostate