xMovember Background
Anyone who has met me can attest to the fact that I am one of many individuals who constantly promote the culture within xMatters. I believe that it is one of the most compelling reasons that people love to work with and be associated with the xMatters organization. We are personal, personable and like to have fun and do the right thing.
So what started out as a conversation regarding the charity fundraiser known as Movember naturally turned into a company backed, competition for raising cancer research funds. The management here stepped up and agreed that xMatters will match any xPert or client private donations to the foundation up to $5,000. We now have two teams organized and invite all xPerts and clients to join in the fun. Any private donations may be made on one of the team pages below or may be communized directly to me at hammer@xmatters.com (yes, that is one of my real email aliases). We will tally donations and match them on the last day of Movember.
About Movember
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.
To read all about the humorous campaign that is being put together at xMatters read part 1, to understand the more serious side read part 2.
Part 1 - xMatters for fun:
On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.
Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.
The idea of participating started with the EMEA team as part of an idea to give them something to talk about with clients and to promote some of the fun culture within xMatters. Check out the video and register on one of the team pages at http://mobro.co/xmovember/ or http://us.movember.com/mospace/1508210/ and click on Join My Team:
Part 2 - My personal motivation:
So this is a great event which raises charitable funds for men's health organizations such as Lance Armstrong's Livestrong and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. I think many of us have experiences personally or within our families with similar health problems. A startling fact is that 1 in 3 men will have some problem with their prostate in their lifetime!
My personal story which I have shared with few. Many of you know that in 2009 my family spent time in the UK for many months while I was working with the xMatters EMEA team. It was a great experience and I have such great friendships as part of this time. My father, who has never traveled internationally was set to visit us while living over there. On the eve of his visit I received one of those phone calls we all dread. He annual physical results revealed some problems. Through a very invasive biopsy process they identified a very aggressive, rapidly spreading prostate cancer. The options as you get older may include very invasive surgery or even possibly doing nothing. In his case, he chose surgery, but it was unknown as to the possibility of success or the possibility of post surgery functionality. It is hard to imagine the emotional process one goes through.
After a very long surgery process and recovery, I am happy to report that my father is now 2 years cancer free and living a healthy life, spending time with his grandchildren. I am participating in Movember to honor my father's tenacity in going through the process and not giving up for his family.
Invitation
So we hereby invite all xPerts and xClients alike to participate in any way you feel. If you are into growing your own, we would love to see your photos and updates as you will likely see all of ours (All mustaches in the above video were fake, by the way) or join one of our teams (preferably my team, as I am more fun!). Here are the game rules per the Movember website:
Step One: Personalize your Mo Space (Donation) page
• Login and update your profile picture, personalize your motivation and claim your own personalized Movember URL
Step Two: Build your Team
• Login and build your team using the suggested emails, Facebook and Twitter posts
Step Three: Grow a Mo
• Start Nov 1st clean shaven
• Then grow your moustache all month – nurture it, groom it, respect it
• Remember no beards and no goatees. Click here for Movember Rules
• For Movember style inspiration download The Style Guide
Step Four: Raise funds
• Login and view the Donation section where you will find suggested wording to ask for donations via email, Facebook, Twitter or in person.
• For cash/check donations follow the steps on the Donation Form
Step Five: Roam Proud
• Host your own Movember party – for more information on how to run your own event visit the Mo Parties page
• Show off your Mo at one of Movember’s Gala Partés. Find out details of your nearest Gala Parté and get free tickets when you raise $100 and $200
The details below are good to keep handy:
• Your Registration Number: 1352424
• Team Name: xMovember
Movember – changing the face of men’s health
