$29M raised to date in 2013 Movember campaign

Over $29 million has been raised to date in this year’s Movember Canada‘s fundraising campaign, according to organizers, but that number is expected to grow.

Movember — which raises money and awareness for prostate cancer — encourages men to grow a moustache for the month of November and ask friends and family to donate to their efforts.

So far, the month-long event — which started in Australia 10 years ago — has raised $29,082,771. However, Pete Bombaci, the country director for Movember Canada, said the charity continues to collect funds until its fiscal end in April 2014, so the the final dollar amount won’t be known until then.

Movember Canada raised $42.6-million in the 2012 campaign with a total of 247,441 participants. Globally, the campaign raised $146.6-million and 1,127,152 registrants took part. This year, over 173,000 Canadians participated.

“It’s been another amazing year. Canadians come together from coast-to-coast,” Bombaci said. “We’re excited to see what we can accomplish.”

2013 statistics for Canada (courtesy of Movember Canada):

• $29,082,771 raised to date in Canada
• 173,151 registrants in Canada
• $10,067,567 raised to date in Ontario
• 74,919 registrants in Ontario

2013 global standing to date in Canadian currency (courtesy of Movember Canada):

• Canada – $29,082,771
• United Kingdom – $21,988,590
• Australia – $19,878,298
• United States – $19,738,195

Organizers said Canada is the “leading fundraising nation” around the world for Movember. The UK is in second place with C$21,988,590 raised to date.

“At this point, we’re $6-million ahead of the UK, and the numbers will grow,” Bombaci said.

According to Movember’s 2012 statistics, Canada was second to the UK in terms of funds raised, followed by Australia and the U.S.

Movember organizers said Canadians continue to make a “significant contribution” to the global campaign. In particular, the top three registrants who raised the most money are from Canada, while four of the top five teams are Canadian. Also, Canadian students raised more than $2.5-million, leading the global fundraising efforts.

The money raised goes towards programs to support men with prostate and testicular cancer and mental illness.

“We’re looking forward to putting the funds raised to work with ground-breaking research and programs that will make a significant impact on men’s health in Canada and around the world,” Bombaci said in a release.

In May, Movember — which works with Prostate Cancer Canada and the Canadian Male Health Network — will announce how the funds will be allocated across the country. To date, Movember has funded 138 programs in Canada. Click here for a list of programs.

According to statistics, 26,500 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Canada this year, with one in seven men in Canada to develop the disease in his lifetime. Around 4,000 Canadian men die of prostate cancer each year.

Movember continues to accept donations throughout the here. Click here to donate.

–With a report from CityNews.ca staff