Members of the Olds RCMP have thrown down the gauntlet to members of the Olds Fire Department, challenging them to raise as much funds as possible for men's cancers during the month of November.
If the RCMP wins the Movember challenge by raising more funds than the fire department, the latter has agreed to wash all the detachment's cruisers.
If the fire department wins, the RCMP will be extolling the virtues of the fire department at the latter's Christmas party.
Const. Aaron Bartsch said he threw down the challenge as a way to raise awareness of prostate cancer and do it in a fun way. The challenge resulted from a recent column written by Olds Albertan publisher Murray Elliott, who explained that several male colleagues will be enhancing their faces all month long for the cause.
“I approached (Fire) Chief (Lorne) Thompson about creating a little challenge because we are so connected together as they are moving in beside us. I thought it would be a great opportunity to further team building between the Olds RCMP and the fire department in town and have some fun with it too because ultimately the end result is we want to raise awareness (about) prostate cancer and gather some money and donate to a good cause,” Bartsch said.
Bartsch said all of the male members of the force will be part of the Const. 'Stache team, growing moustaches throughout the month of “Movember.”
Meanwhile, Thompson said the fire department has eagerly accepted the challenge, adding that the Olds Fire Department Cookie Dusters team isn't about to lose to Const. 'Stache.
“We're quite confident,” he said.
“I thought it was a great idea. It's something that can affect (men) and we don't think about it enough. We just want to get awareness out there and get some money raised. We all win because we get the word out and … the wager on the side is just to have some fun with it,” he said.
The annual Movember campaign encourages men to grow a moustache throughout the month of November to raise awareness – and funds – toward men's health issues. Movember aims to increase early detection, diagnosis and treatment of all men's cancers.
The statistics paint a sobering picture. The average life expectancy of men – 78 – compares poorly to that for women – 83.
This year, more men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women with breast cancer. On average, 11 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every day.
"I thought it would be a great opportunity to further team building between the Olds RCMP and the fire department in town and have some fun with it too because ultimately the end result is we want to raise awareness (about) prostate cancer and gather some money and donate to a good cause."Const. Aaron Bartsch, Olds RCMP
