[1]BELLEVILLE- Freddy Vette shows off his Movember moustache. Photo by Shelden Rogers
By Shelden Rogers
BELLEVILLE – Local radio show host Freddy Vette is growing his first-ever Movember moustache, and is hoping to take a stab at the large issue of men’s health.
Vette, the host of the Freddy Vette Show on CJBQ weekday afternoons, has decided to take advantage of his time on the air to promote awareness of men’s health issues.
“I’m on the air four hours a day, every day, so why waste that opportunity to raise awareness and a little bit of money for the cause?” said Vette.
He has been aware of Movember – a November-long event when men are encouraged to grow a mustache to show support for research into prostate cancer and other men’s health issues – over the years, and as it has gotten bigger, he decided to finally participate, he said.
“There are a few guys at the radio station that you see walk through with their greasy-looking moustaches and you kind of make fun of them, but now it has become a bigger thing over the years.”
Vette said most of his listeners at the age where they should consider getting checked, but also men’s health issues are beginning to have a younger face.
“It can happen at a younger age. I’m 41 now and it’s time to start thinking about that.”
His Movember moustache fundraiser has raised $465 so far, but Vette said it’s not all about the money.
“Raising some money would be great, but if we keep mentioning it maybe some fellas will get checked out.”
Vette compared men’s health awareness to woman’s health, and said there is a long way to go.
“I read something that said that men’s health compared to women’s health is doing just a fraction of the donations. That’s something we need to catch up on. It’s getting bigger, but I think it has a long way to go.”
He sees Movember growing with each year, he said.
“It’s a big hill to climb to raise the awareness, but every little bit helps, and you just have to keep going after it.”
If you want to support Vette’s Movember program, click here [2].