It is tough for the Cochrane’s firefighters to show off their Movember mustaches with masks being mandatory inside, but firefighter Mike Marianchuk has found a way to bring some visibility to the cause.
Marianchuk made T-shirts with the firefighters insignia and Movember across the back. The T-shirts are being sold for $30 each and can be picked up at the fire hall by asking for Marianchuk or fire inspector Jeff Avery. People will be able to buy a shirt until they sell out. The proceeds from the shirts will be added to the donations for the Movember campaign.
“This year I decided to make some T-shirts up to help with the donations to Movember,” he said.
His sister helped with the design and a local supplier printed the T-shirts.
He hopes the shirts bring attention to the causes that Movember supports as well as to the fire department.
Ten Cochrane firefighters are raising money this month to raise awareness of men’s mental health issues and men’s health issues like prostate and testicular cancer and suicide. He said many of the 20 other firefighters who do not grow mustaches support the cause through donations.
Cochrane residents have also been supportive of the firefighters Movember campaign, he said.
“Last year we had a great turnout,” said Marianchuk. “There’s definitely still a lot of support in the community because I think people realize how big of a support system this is.”
Marianchuk said firefighting is a profession where mental health can be a factor.
“You could be going to a call that could be the worst day of someone’s life,” he said. “Having that kind of burden on you – having all that on you definitely weighs on a guy.”
The stigma around men talking about their mental health is lessening, Marianchuk said, adding it is important to continue to encourage men to talk about their struggles.
“I think it’s definitely getting better to talk about,” he said. “That stigma is starting to go away and I think people are getting more comfortable with sharing aspects of mental health. With our department bringing this up, gives guys the support to ask for what they need with their health.”
To donate visit movember.com, click on donate and search for Cochrane fire services.
The department is looking to raise as much money as possible this year, Marianchuk said.
“We are not putting an actual dollar amount,” he said.
