This Movember, Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen, will be joining the ‘stache of staff taking part in the month-long fundraising campaign for men’s health.
“I’ve been supporting Movember for years and have always encouraged staff to do the same, so it’s only fair that this year I put my money where my mo’ is,” Hank said.
“It’s been many years since I’ve sported a moustache, so it’s going to be interesting to say the least!”
The department endorses one charity every month. Past charities have included, the Leukaemia Foundation, The Black Dog Institiute and Guide Dogs Australia to name a few. Given the timing, Movember is a natural fit.
The Movember Foundation aims to raise awareness and funds related to a broad range of men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.
“For me this has become personal, a former workmate of mine, well known and highly regarded within DHS is currently undergoing treatment. Watching what he’s going through has been quite confronting,” said Hank.
The facts:
- 1 in 7 Men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 75 and more than 18,000 new cases will be diagnosed in Australia in 2016.
- Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in young man aged 18 to 39 behind skin cancer. The average age of diagnosis is just 36 years old and it is estimated that 795 cases will be diagnosed in Australia this year.
- 1 in 2 Australian males have experience a serious mental health problem at some point in their life and around 6 men take their life in Australia every day. 1 in 8 Australian males will experience depression in their lifetime.
“These are more than just numbers, they’re people. Some of the statistics around these issues are shocking,” Hank explained.
“They could be someone’s dad, brother, partner, son or friend. These issues affect everyone, which is why it’s just as important to be a ’Mo-Bro’.
Showing support for Movember isn’t just ‘a guy thing’ either.
“It’s also important to acknowledge the contribution the department’s ‘Mo Sistas’ will be making this month. We couldn’t do it without their support too.”
Mo’ information
Donate to Hank’s Movember page and/or sign up to Movember as a participant to raise funds. Remember, both men and women can get involved.
Follow Hank on Facebook and Twitter for ’mo updates’ across the month.