Vernon firefighters are joining the movement to raise funds and awareness for men鈥檚 physical and mental health. The annual Movember campaign begins Friday, Nov. 1, encouraging men to grow moustaches, raise funds and have important conversations in support of projects that focus on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
This year, a team of 26 Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) firefighters will take part in the month-long campaign.
鈥淐ancer research and programming assistance is important to our members,鈥� said firefighter John Doorman. 鈥淣ot only do we as firefighters have an increased risk from exposure to harmful chemicals, but many of our families and friends have personally been touched by cancer and its effects on lives.鈥�
Movember was started in 2003 and has gained more than five million supporters worldwide. The Movember Foundation is the only global charity that is focused solely on men鈥檚 health.
鈥淲hat we appreciate about the campaign,鈥� said firefighter Dave Robinson, 鈥渋s that it鈥檚 not just about cancer. It鈥檚 also about mental health and suicide prevention. It鈥檚 vital for all first responders to pay attention to mental health and have resources available to help when needed, but we also recognize mental health is important for every individual and the funds raised through Movember help support valuable programming when men find themselves in unimaginable circumstances.鈥�
鈥淲e don鈥檛 just want to grow moustaches and raise money,鈥� said Doorman. 鈥淲e also want to have these important conversations and connect with those around us so everyone has a community of support when it鈥檚 needed.鈥�
Donations for the local firefighter Movember team can be made at or by visiting and searching for 鈥榁ernon Firefighters.鈥� Keep an eye on the City鈥檚 social media pages for updates on the participants鈥� moustaches and to see who can grow the best mo鈥� in just a few weeks.
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