Movember, the leading men’s health organisation, celebrates 20 years of the global movement this year. Founded in 2003 by two pals in an Australian pub, Movember was created with one goal in mind, to stop men dying too young. Prioritising funding to three of the biggest health issues affecting men globally: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
As part of the 2023 campaign, Movember is today announcing a yearlong partnership with Ireland’s leading mobility app, FREENOW. To launch the collaboration, Movember and FREENOW has teamed up with TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea, Love Hate actor, John Connors, TV presenter and influencer, James Patrice, and model and actor, Carl Shaaban, to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues. Movember wants everyone to start the conversation around key topics including mental health and suicide prevention, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.
According to research carried out by FREENOW among its driver partners to launch the campaign, 15% of drivers say they regularly come across passengers who are struggling with their mental health and a further 39% say they do so on occasion. Almost half (46%) of drivers always talk to passengers in the car but only 12% of drivers say mental health & wellbeing is discussed with more general topics such as the weather, sport, and current affairs the most talked about subjects., and a further 39% say they do so on occasion. Almost half (46%) of drivers always talk to passengers in the car but only 12% of drivers say mental health and wellbeing is discussed with more general topics such as the weather, sport, and current affairs the most talked about subjects. 68% of drivers say that having a chat with a passenger has a positive impact on their own mental health and wellbeing. 46% of drivers say they never talk to anyone about their mental health.
Throughout the month of November and right through to the end of February 2024, FREENOW passengers will be able to show their support for Movember through FREENOW’s Round Up to Donate in-app feature, which allows passengers to round up their trip to the nearest euro with the difference being donated directly to Movember. Together with Movember, FREENOW is also hosting virtual, in-person talks and training for its drivers’ partners in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Germany. The talks will cover mental health, relationships, and self-care.
Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men. Prioritising funding to three of the biggest health issues affecting men globally: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, Movember has invested over €300 million in 600 biomedical research projects, funded 4 prostate cancer registries with over 200,000 men enrolled from 19 countries, and made the moustache a must have accessory for the month of November.
In Ireland, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and approximately 170 men in Ireland are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. Most testicular cancer occurs in men under 45 years. These cancers are highly treatable but early detection and awareness of the symptoms is key. According to CSO data, suicides rate in men in 2020 were 14.2 per 100,000* compared to the female suicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000*. Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged between 15 and 29 in Ireland, and over the past two decades, middle-aged men (aged 45–54) in Ireland have experienced the highest average suicide rate of any age group.
The public can get involved this November by taking part in one of Movember’s fundraising challenges, which include growing a moustache for the month of November, walking, or running 60km across the month or hosting a mo-ment to raise awareness for men’s health issues.
Sarah Ouellette, Country Manager for Ireland at Movember, said: “Movember has long been committed to changing the face of men's health, and through this partnership with FREENOW, we are expanding our reach and awareness in new and exciting ways. We invite all FREENOW passengers, driver partners and people all across Ireland to join us this Movember by donating, fundraising, or initiating those crucial conversations about men's health to save lives.”
Adding to this, Elisa McKenna, Global Head of PR and Communications at FREENOW, said: "We are proud to partner with Movember to raise vital funds, awareness and help drive conversation around men's health during the month of November. In addition to raising money for Movember through our in-app Round Up and Donate feature, we’ll also be offering a range of workshops and talks to our driver partners, covering subjects like mental health and self-care. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Movember as we work together to drive positive change."
Commenting on the launch, FREENOW campaign ambassador, TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea said: “I am delighted to team up with FREENOW to launch its partnership with Movember. Since it launched in 2003, Movember has done fantastic work in raising awareness for men’s health issues and opening up the conversation around mental health. There can be a reluctance for men to talk about their health – physical or mental. By creating a conversation around the subject, we can hopefully continue to break down the perceived taboos around talking about these issues. I would also encourage all FREENOW passengers to turn on the Round Up and Donate feature on the app during November and help support this worthwhile cause.”
Movember 2023 is calling on you to join the Order of Mo this November to change the face of men's health. Raise funds. Save lives. Sign up now: ie.movember.com.
