During the month of October, many fire fighters from across the Province of Ontario traded in their blue work shirts and donned varying shades of pink, in support of a fundraising initiative for breast cancer research and awareness. The OPFFA and the International Association of Fire Fighters fully supported the “Care Enough To Wear Pink” campaign, which witnessed fire fighters draped in pink, from not only Ontario but across North America, raising research dollars for a cure for breast cancer. Other inventive initiatives saw pink fire trucks, pink turnout gear – in fact, just about anything that would hold pink was up for grabs.

Unfortunately, totals of the funds raised during this initiative were not available at the time of this publishing.

That was October. Now, we move into November and fire fighters from across Ontario have transitioned into a project referred to as “Movember”.  Here, fire fighters start with clean shaven upper lips on or about November 1st and the pageant is on for who can produce the best looking moustaches during the 30 days of November.

OPFFA President, Fred LeBlanc commented, "This is a fun campaign that many fire fighters and police officers have embraced in order to support prostate cancer awareness and research” and also noted, "Prostate cancer is of particular significance to our membership,” as available science has cited prostate cancer as a work related cancer for fire fighters.

Prostate Cancer Canada issued the following startling fact: "In 2009, approximately 25,550 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 4,400 will die of the disease, making it the number one cancer threat to Canadian men.”

Below is an excerpt from a circular distributed to all OPFFA affiliates as well as other links which you can follow to get involved in the event:

Changing the face of men’s health

Have you noticed the faces of men across Canada becoming a little “hairier” during the month of November? Ever wondered why? No, it doesn’t have to do with men reliving the glory of the 1970s or making a 21st Century fashion statement. The reason for these moustaches is simple: men are growing them to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer through the month-long global charity campaign known as "Movember".

Throughout the month of Movember (formerly known as November), men (Mo Bros) are encouraged to put down their razors and grow and groom their Mos (Australian slang for moustache). The outpouring of support for Movember - from men trying to grow moustaches to rival that of Tom Selleck, and Mo Sistas (women who support Mo Bros) alike - has grown hugely over the past three years.

Movember originated in 2003, in Melbourne, Australia. In 2007, when the campaign expanded to Canada, more than 9,000 participants raised over $545,000. Last year’s campaign raised an incredible $7.8 million with over 35,000 participants growing Mos across the country. Sported by men including prostate cancer survivors, firefighters, policemen, businessmen, college students and more, moustaches were popping up at every corner. The best part was that, with every moustache came an increased awareness about this deadly disease.

All funds raised in Canada through Movember will go directly to Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC). PCC’s mission is to develop programs related to awareness, public education, advocacy, support of those affected and research into the prevention, detection, treatment and cure of prostate cancer.

The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association is partnering with Prostate Cancer Canada for the 2010 Movember campaign! Sign up to shave your face on November 1, then grow and groom your moustache for 30 days to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.

This Movember, challenge yourself. Join us and dare to get hairy!

For more information on Movember (events in your area, getting involved, how to donate and more), please visit www.movember.com. or join the Firefighters country wide challenge at http://ca.movember.com/mospace/network/view/id/17156.   

For information on Prostate Cancer Canada, please visit www.prostatecancer.ca.