Richie McCaw Bares All for Men’s Health

Richie McCaw Bares All for Men’s Health

Movember, the global month of moustached mayhem, is almost upon us and Richie McCaw has taken it all off in the name of men’s health.

With just over one week standing between men and their moustaches, McCaw has primed his upper lip for Movember with a close shave at Auckland’s Maloney’s Barber Shop. Now, the All Black captain is putting out a call to arms, challenging his team mates and all Kiwi men to take the moustache by the handlebars this Movember and join him in making a stand for men’s health.

“Kiwi men can be a bit staunch and perhaps wait a bit longer than they should to admit something isn’t quite right and do something about it. But men’s health is something that affects us all, so there is no excuse for not showing some sort of support whether that be growing, donating or just some friendly encouragement,” says McCaw.

“As rugby players, our coaches and advisors encourage us to be really proactive about our health in all areas. If something isn’t quite right we talk to the right people and try and sort it out straight away. I’m really keen to inspire kiwi blokes to be as proactive about their health as well.”

McCaw’s dedication to hard work and fair play on and off the field saw him named New Zealand’s most trusted person in 2012, and the rugby great now implores Mo Bros across the country to follow his example and play by the rules during this month of moustachery.

“I have signed up and ready to go. Once we get into it, hopefully people see my Mo growing and they might get involved by signing up at Movember.com or make a donation. I’m hoping that my Mo will draw a bit of attention when we’re on tour so that it sparks conversations about Movember and men’s health in general,” he says.

Over the last eight years, Kiwi men’s efforts during Movember have raised more than $10.5 million, directly benefitting 37 men’s health programmes in New Zealand. While the funds raised to date are substantial, the Movember Foundation remains determined to deliver programmes that will improve the health and wellbeing of men in this country.

For potential Mo Bros looking for the motivation to get involved, men’s health statistics speak for themselves. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Kiwi men, with approximately 3,000 cases registered each year and testicular cancer is the most prolific among our younger men, aged 15 to 35 years. Alarmingly, 1 in 8 New Zealand men will suffer from depression over their lifetime.

“There’s just over one week to go but that doesn’t mean it’s too late for Mo Bros and Mo Sistas, the fine Mo-supporting women behind the men, to make it official; get online, register and start collecting sponsorship to help change the face of men’s health,” says Robert Dunne, New Zealand Country Manager, The Movember Foundation.

“The beard may be enjoying a renaissance among the hipster set, but this Movember we’re asking New Zealand men to free their chins of fuzz and let the Mo grow.”

No one should ever Mo alone so you can join Richie’s team and donate to his Mo at http://nz.movember.com/mospace/1729730.

Visit www.nz.movember.com to find out more and register for Movember.

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