Canada tops fundraising for Movember

For the second year in a row, Canada has raised more money than any other country for the Movember campaign for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.

The sixth annual event, which drew to a close last Friday, has so far raised more than $37 million in Canada, organizers announced Monday.

In all, 247,066 Canadians took part in raising funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Canada and the Canadian Male Health Network.

Pete Bombaci, national director of Movember Canada, says Canadians have responded well to the campaign.

“I honestly think it comes down to the fact that Canadians are a truly giving group of people and we’re fortunate that we live a country where we actually care about our neighbours and those facing hard times,” Bombaci said in an interview.

Movember is a month-long event where men start the month of November with a clean-shaven face, then grow their moustaches throughout the month.

The goal is to raise money and start conversations about prostate cancer and men’s mental health issues.

The Movember movement started in Australia in 2003 when a few dozen men raised awareness of the issues by growing moustaches.

The following year, more than 450 Australian men took part and more than $50,000 was raised.

Since its inception as a charity, more than 1.1 million participants have raised more than $200 million for the cause.

This year, people in 21 countries took part, up from 14 the year before.

Canadians joined the campaign in 2007.

“Canadians have come to the forefront and demonstrated that they love their moustaches and they love making a difference,” said Bombaci.

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