Vinod Patel & Co Ltd yesterday launched its Men’s Health Awareness Month, often dubbed as Movember.

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is when men around the world grow a moustache, and women step up to support them, all to raise awareness and funds for men’s health – specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Vinod Patel Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) general manager Lati Qoro said the Movember initiative had become a major corporate fundraiser for the company.

“Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is nothing new. Most of our branches are required to do at least two CSR initiatives every year,” Ms Qoro said.

“We don’t force them, they have to determine what that looks like.”

Ms Qoro said their major corporate fundraiser is Movember since the company was dominated by male employees.

“When we read the news, there’s a lot of talk about the fact that there’s very little awareness around the prevalence of prostate cancer,” Ms Qoro said.

“And so, we feel it’s important for us to get involved.”

Fiji Cancer Society chief executive officer, Belinda Chan acknowledged the company for joining the initiative this year.

“This month is also about raising awareness on cancers that affects our men, but more importantly, their mental health,” Ms Chan said.

Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj