St Albans cancer survivor Graeme Jeffs is taking part in his third year as a Mo Bro, joining other Melbourne men for Movember to raise awareness of serious men’s health issues.
Mr Jeffs, 59, who had a malignant melanoma removed from his forehead 12 months ago, says the Movember initiative is easy to take part in.
His involvement started out as a joke with his children, who label him Colonel Sanders whenever he grows facial hair.
“It’s a fun thing to do and it’s an easy thing to donate to,” Mr Jeffs says.
“I’m 59; my mother passed away from cancer; my father passed on Australia Day, so I know it runs in my family.”
Mr Jeffs says more awareness of non-evasive treatments needs to be gained to tackle serious illnesses affecting men today.
But he admits it isn’t always easy to speak to men about serious health issues and says Movember is a good way to target the fact that “men like to keep [health] things a secret”.
“People are always asking for money,” he says. “But Movember is a well-organised machine . . . we know where the money is going and we know it’s going to the right place.”
Mr Jeffs has so far raised $160 and is documenting his journey in a web-series.
To join or donate to his Movember page, visit: au.movember.com/mospace/6361893
