Organizers shave off Movember hair to reveal fundraising record

Nov 30, 2018 | 2:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Now bare-faced Movember organizers were able to shave off their unique hair styles today, after this year’s campaign in Kamloops blew past expectations.

After the wrap up event held at Shark Club last night, organizer Derek Strokon of SunLife Financial says the community has raised and donated around $5,500 towards the cause.

“We started this event in town two years ago, and I think we had 37 people, and raised about 350 bucks,” he explains. “So it was awesome, last year we came close to 100 people in attendance, and raised about $1,800 for the True North programs through the City of Kamloops.”

Reaching past just spreading awareness, the month-long event also provided emotional support for men impacted by cancer of mental health issues.

“We had two gentlemen who are currently fighting cancer, one of them who is on his way to a biopsy today. And he just stepped out and said ‘I needed this, I needed this for me’,” Strokon says, “and it just puts a real face on what we’re doing. Rather than just getting together and fundraising for a good cause, to actually know that money is impacting and know that we’re there.”

The money will go to the City of Kamloops, and will help out local programs for men who are suffering, or may suspect that they have cancer, to give them a resource to go and do research.

“Men famously, not great at reaching out for support,” Strokon explains, “And so if we can do something online for them where they can go do some research. Or for outlying communities where they don’t have the time or the resources to come directly in to Kamloops to do research.”

As far as their plans for next year, Strokon says they’re hoping to get an early start on Movember 2019 and continue to build on the momentum in Kamloops.