Barking Space

My Movember 2023 campaign reached the end of its journey – and I am stunned at everyone’s generosity and support! We raised $13,241 with the help of around 240 donors (at the time that this post was published). That pushes the total amount of money that I have raised over the last 15 years to $75,362!

In 2022, the Canadian Chapter of Movember raised $25.8 Million, and 82.3% of those funds were allocated to men’s health projects. For comparison, globally Movember raised $115 Million. Check it out.

In these tough times, it can be hard to justify donating – especially with so many different causes to support. Movember is a great organization, though, with costs being kept down (17.7%) so that the rest of the money can go toward doing the most good possible. I have mentioned before that social change is a sure thing when you back the right horse. Currently there are an excess of 1,253 projects funded, working men’s health partners in 23 countries. You can see more about that here.

This year was a bit different than previous ones – as I opted to post something every day. I normally feel somewhat hesitant to do that, since I feel like I am bothering people unnecessarily. However, I also tend to forget to accumulate daily photos of my progress, thus foiling my attempt to do the full animated GIF of my progress at the end of the month. If folks were bothered by by prolific posting, there certainly was no negative feedback – and really, it’s about helping people and raising awareness.

The past year has been a tough one, full of anxiety and other mental struggles – being unemployed sucks, and a constant stream of rejection even though people assure you that you would be a valuable asset to any company tends to get old (and you question it). Thankfully, I have a great support network and Movember has some awesome resources that are exceedingly helpful. I felt very compelled to do even more this year (though a pinched sciatic nerve kiboshed the Move portion of my fundraising).

Again, thank you to all of the folks that donated (either to me, to others or to both) – and for those that sent positive vibes my way, I return virtual hugs.

Andrew Wilkins from Movember Canada gets an extra special thank you for being an incredible liaison and for sending me some goodies to give away at Ar-MO-geddon, the Movember celebration party that we held.

And, as always, thanks so much to my amazing family for supporting me in more ways that just this annual campaign. I love you all!

I wonder how we’ll do next year?

PS: Even though Movember is over, for the next few days the link should still work for donations: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/372848/

Filed under: General Dialogue, Interactive, Movember, Special Events | Tagged: Men's Health, Men's Mental Health, Mental Health, Movember, Movember Foundation, programs, Prostate Cancer, research, testicular cancer |