Half a Mo...

Happy Mo-vember everyone! That’s right. I said “Movember.” In Australia a mustache is called a ‘Mo’. And in Australia in November there is a fundraiser called Movember designed to raise funds for men’s health issues. People grow Moes for money. This year Movember has come to the States.

I think it’s sweet. And hilarious.

If you happen to know a guy who has always secretly hankered to grow a Magnum PI mustache because he thinks he’ll feel more manly that way – well, here’s a good excuse to give him some encouragement. And free rein to laugh every day for the rest of the month!

The following summary of information is provided by my friend Jordan, who proudly grew a great big trucker Mo last year, and is on his way to yet another fabulous furry face this year. I’m sure he and his colleagues would welcome your support.

Ladies and Gentlemen START YOUR MOs.

Yes, it is that time of the year again. MOVEMBER is well and truly upon us.

I am sure by now many of you are aware that during the month formerly known as November, men all over the world will aim to grow a Mo(ustache) in a bid to raise funds to support men's health issues, namely prostate cancer and depression . I use the term 'aim' to grow as some men (if you can call them men) experience.....difficulty in achieving a full, lush, fashionable Mo. Is it their fault? No. Should they be embarrassed? Yes! Should it prevent them from participating in such a worthy cause? No! [Jordan, as you can tell, has no mo issues.]

Movember should not simply be seen as an opportunity to tease a co-worker, friend, or family member about their lack of upper lip testosterone, rather it should be seen as a chance to raise funds, and most importantly raise awareness about serious health issues facing men today.

In all seriousness, I have spoken to and received e-mails from a number of you and fully understand your reasons for not participating, but encourage you to spread the good word to your friends and family (and maybe look at putting in a donation or something yourself....no pressure of course).

This is the first year that Movember has been launched in the US and in New York we have what I would consider a very strong team participating, and while I encourage as many members as possible to join our team - Clap Your Hands and Say Mo! - I strongly encourage you to start-up your own team. Obviously if you do not want to enter a team, you are more than welcome to make a contribution to the New York team to ensure that we help the cause as much as possible and launch Movember in a big way in the USA . My teammates and I welcome any support. I also know that a lot of you will receive e-mails from other people participating, which is great, because it really doesn't matter how you contribute or who you contribute to, as long as you are involved......so get involved.

This would not be a Movember e-mail without some facts:

• Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America.
• In 2007, more than 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 27,000 American men will die from the disease.
• Depression affects 1 in 6 men...Most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.
• Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who die from breast cancer annually.
• Men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy of males is 5 years less than females.

To sponsor the Mo's of Clap Your Hands and Say Mo! and fight against prostate cancer please go to http://www.movember.com/us/donate, enter my registration number which is 65531 and your credit card details. Or you can sponsor me by check made payable to the "Prostate Cancer Foundation" clearly marking the donation as being for my registration number: 65531. Please mail checks to: Prostate Cancer Foundation, Attn: Movember, 1250 Fourth St, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

All donations are made directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Movember culminates at the end of the month at the Gala Partés. These glamorous and groomed events will see Tom Selleck and Borat look-a-likes battle it out for their chance to take home the prestigious Man of Movember title. If you would like to be part of this great night you'll need to purchase a Gala Parté ticket .

Thanks for your support and please forward on to anyone that you think might be interested in participating or contributing. I know that it is cliché, but every dollar counts.

Clap Your Hands and Say MO!!!