YESTERDAY marked the beginning of Movember — a month where our men get hairier for a good cause.
In Movember attention focuses on men’s health issues, raising public awareness and much needed financial support for a cause that continues to touch the lives of people world wide.
Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity are some of the biggest health issues faced by men. Participants in Movember, male and female, are tackling them face-first.
In the Buloke Shire, Luen Donnellon and TeamDoncred have been leading the fight at a local level.
In eight inspiring years of commitment, Luen and his fellow team members have raised in excess of $33,000, qualifying for Movember’s Platinum club (minimum fund raising of $1,000) every year.
Luen is commited to raising a minimum of $1,000 this Movember, but given the drought conditions and the tough economic climate which is impacting on the Birchip community, he realises this year could be the greatest challenge.
To ease the burden on his community and to spread the financial load, Luen is seeking financial support and donations of fundraising raffle prizes from the wider Wimmera/Mallee community.
“I’m asking every male in the Mallee to grow a mow for Movember. And I ask every female partner to put up with mow … it’s only for 30 days,” he said.
“At the end of Movember, a mo can be shaved off, but, sadly, when someone dies from cancer, there is no coming back. In comparison 30 days of discomfort is a small price to pay if we can help find a cure.
“I’d love to make 9 platinum clubs in a row in memory of my Dad.”
Beside his father, Paddy, Luen has also lost seven uncles to cancer.
To help Luen and Team Doncred with donation or to register as a team support member, go to www.movember.com and type in Luen Donnellon or Doncred.
If anyone understands the need to find a cure to cancer, in particular cancers that affect men such as prostate and testicular, it is Luen Donnellon.
Any support you can provide by donating to Movember might mean the difference between people like Luen continuing to have to deal with the heartbreaking loss of a loved one or rejoicing in a life saving cure.
