Shellharbour SES join the Movember cause - Kiama Independent Lake Times

NOT only do State Emergency Services (SES) crews donate their time and energy to help the community, this November will see them donate their upper lips. 

The Shellharbour City Unit SES has joined the global men’s health movement and will grow their “mos”. 

Ten men from the unit will participate in this years Movember in an attempt to bring attention to mens health in Australia. 

The Movember foundation raises the profile of mens health by challenging men to grow their moustaches during the month of November.

On average, the life expectancy of Australian men is nearly five years less than that of women and by the age of 85 one in every two Australian men will be diagnosed with Cancer.

Acting Local Controller Shane Gauci said SES had the capacity to reach a wide audience and inspire men of all ages to join in raising the awareness of mens health.

SES media coordinator Matthew Norris said men weren’t well known for seeking out medical help if something wasn’t right which was a ‘‘big issue’’ in the wider community.

“My father passed away due to cancer and you just think that if he had gone to the doctors earlier, would things be different?” he said.

The poor state of mens health in Australia can be attributed to many different reasons, these include stigmas relating mental health, males engaging in risky activities, men not openly discussing their health and a general lack of awareness of mens health. 

By growing a moustache and raising money, the Movember foundation can work to improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems. 

To donate to the Shellharbour City SES “moteam” or to leave an encouraging message, please go to moteam.co/nsw-ses-shellharbour-city.

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