Support Movember – In Memory of Dave Coleman and Men Everywhere

As Movember draws to a close and those of us in the USofA have given thanks for all we have, please consider donating to Movember. Movember isn’t just about raising money, but that’s one goal.  You can donate via my Movember page, or by finding others you may know who are participating. (Hint: they have unexpected facial hair this month.)

If you don’t feel you can give, please reach out to the men in your life and make sure they have the support they need to confront physical and mental ailments that strike us.

In modern society, many men feel the need to be stalwart and stoic at the expense of their own health. That doesn’t have to be the case, and we can all be a part of the solution. Encourage your loved men to go to regular doctor checkups, even if they don’t want to. It could mean the difference between a long, healthy life and a foreshortened one for no need. Remember that these are men you’re talking to – loving encouragement usually works far more effectively than ultimatums. We’re a stubborn bunch.

The other angle to this is for men to understand that into every life some rain will fall. Good mental health is as important as good physical health. A wonderful physical plant with poor management doesn’t work, either. Men are as susceptible to mental health issues as anyone else. If your men are down in the dumps a lot or not enjoying life as much as it seems they should, see if they will go and talk to someone. A little talk therapy can help in many cases, or possible some medication if it is merited. There’s no shame in admitting we need a little help from time to time.

I first participated in Movember last year (2014) after the untimely death of my friend and SharePoint colleague Dave Coleman. (You can read about my motivation last year in my post Dave Coleman, Men’s Health, Movember, and a Request.)

Dave realized that had he had himself checked out earlier, the prostate cancer that felled him may not have gotten such a hold and he might have lived a longer life. I put a link to an interview he did in that post from last year, and it’s worth adding here again. It’s not a long interview, but it’s poignant and a tribute to the courage of a man who saw his own mortality staring him in the face.

Dave Coleman, Claire Smyth – 05 February 2014 15.36.21 (Original link)

If you knew Dave or listen to the interview and admire him for his guts in it – as I do – please give to Movember in his name.

But even better, give for the men in your life. Let’s try to make sure to keep them around as long as they should be.