Bros raising ‘mo’ money for prostate cancer research CORNER BROOK CORY HURLEY The Western Star

From left, Andrew Flynn, Rich Yano, Mark Babstock and Brad Randell, who are taking part in Movember. For the month of November the men are growing their mustaches to raise money for prostate Cancer research. — Star photo by Geraldine Brophy

Not sure whether they were trying to boost tea sales or not, but six men at the Bay of Islands Bistro in Corner Brook are sporting moustaches.

Actually, it has little to do with business and even less to do with making a fashion statement, as the guys are doing their best to promote men’s health.

No, a hairy lip and being referred to as Magnum (Tom Selleck, for people who didn’t turn on the television in the 1980s) will not ensure a man will keep a clean bill of health.

However, aiding an annual international, month-long celebration of the moustache to highlight men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer, will do just that.

Like most idiotic men’s ideas, Movember arose over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia in 2003. However, unlike most cockamamie alcohol-related schemes, this attempt to tap into the 1980s fashion and bring back the “mo,” (an Australian slang word for moustache) turned into an initiative that has grown in popularity throughout the world ever since. In the subsequent years, those Australian innovators of sorts have been joined by thousands in wearing a ’stache, putting up with a month’s worth of heckling, and raising money for the fight against prostate cancer.

There are seven Mo Bros (that’s right, men wearing moustaches) with ties to the local bistro — Andrew Flynn, Ando McBride, Mark Babstock, Justin Kean, Rick Yano, Brad Randell, and Jason Burton.

There is only one reason these men are bringing back the mo — to change the face of men’s health.

“We are not trying to bring it back in style,” Flynn, who is sporting a handlebar moustache, said. “Bringing prostate cancer research in style, yes.”

Each of the guys are receiving a fair bit of expected heckling. The razzing has been going on even amongst themselves, as Flynn noted it took a while for some people to even notice some of the group were growing moustaches.

The good-natured ribbing is a part of the way the fundraiser generates awareness. When the guys are asked if they need a cloth to wash the dirt off their top lip, it sparks a conversation about prostate cancer. Besides, Flynn said they are hoping to turn all the “razzers” into “razzees” next year as they hope to grow the interest into a community-wide effort.

Meanwhile, they only have a few days left before the month is over.

“It’s itchy,” Flynn said. “It’s one of those generational things, my mother loves it and my girlfriend hates it.”

For Flynn, the effort is especially worthwhile. He has directly seen the impact of prostate cancer. His step-father had the disease, thankfully able to overcome it.

“Everybody has been touched by cancer,” he said. “Every time somebody puts money into the jar, it’s not because we have a moustache, it’s actually because of cancer research. It makes you feel good.”

The old English proverb states, “A man without a moustache is like a cup of tea without sugar.” Well, Randell claims he has been getting plenty of “sugar” since he started sporting a handlebar moustache that has earned him the moniker “Randlebar” — one of the few nicknames the guys have been getting that can be printed.

“Girls like the moustache,” he said. Ron Jeremy would be proud.

The Bistro has entered a challenge with Get Stuffed restaurant in St. John’s to see who can raise the most money and grow the biggest moustaches. Locally, they have raised approximately $600, hoping there is a big push with donations in the final few days to reach their goal of $1,000.