Getting hairy: construction’s Movember fundraising efforts

*Editor’s Note: Contact us at hello@readsitenews.com with your fundraising details so we can add you or your company to the list.

Men’s health issues are construction issues.

More than 86% of the construction workforce is male, making the industry acutely impacted. For many, November is a month to highlight the many struggles men face and raise money to combat them. Many of these efforts are organized by Movember, a leading charity for men’s health. Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world.

Here’s what men are up against:

• 1 in 9 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young Canadian men
• In 2019, over 3,050 men died by suicide, nearly 59 men per week
• In Canada, 3 out of 4 deaths by suicide are men
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian males aged 15–44 years

Canadian builders aren’t sitting idly by. Check out some of the companies and individuals doing their part to raise funds for Movember:

The Canadian Construction Challenge

Before we dive into a few of the companies that are raising funds, it should be noted that dozens and dozens of construction teams are fundraising together in friendly competition, the Canadian Construction Challenge. The challenge consolidates the industry’s fundraising efforts in one place. As of Nov. 7, Canadian construction companies listed had raised a combined $71,317.

Gillam Group

Progressive construction management company Gillam Group has emerged as an early juggernaut for this year’s Movember fundraising efforts. These efforts have been led by Craig Lesurf, Gillam Group president and cancer survivor, who personally has raised more than $11,000.

In most cases, the outcome for men with testicular cancer is positive, but 1 in 20 won’t make it. I’m one of the 19 lucky ones & now 10 + years cancer free. Know the facts and take action early.

Craig Lesurf, Gillam Group President

Ledcor Group of Companies

Ledcor stated that its safety slogan “Think Safety, Work Safely” describes not only what they do, but its values and culture. Their Movember team explained that the company’s most important asset is its people, so they strive to ensure that each and every worker makes it home safely. This includes addressing men’s health issues. This year, Ledcor will match all employee donations up to $50,000.

Ritchie, was a Husband, Father, Brother and Friend. He taught us what it was to be a family and a friend. He was proud to have joined our family, instilling qualities in all of us that we will all cherish. He enjoyed the simple things in life, such as opening presents, puzzles, and yard projects. Island Boy at heart, and craftsman, Ritchie struggled internally with an illness that none of us could see, and we lost him Feb 2017. This charity will be ongoing until there is a cure.

Bryce Borgel, Project Coordinator, Ledcor

Team Cinnamon & Oak

Taylor Smith, pre-con & estimating manager at Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, is continuing his long tradition of organizing friends for Movember fundraising with Team Cinnamon & Oak. Many members have been directly impacted my suicide, cancer and other men’s health issues during the 15 years they have been fundraising.

Each year, Movember becomes more and more personal, and the mission to stop men dying too young gains additional meaning. Just over 2 years ago, my dad was diagnosed and passed away from cancer in a less than 4 month span. I have an uncle who is living with cancer. I have friends, family, and coworkers who have been impacted by prostate and testicular cancer. I’ve worked with and been friends with people who have lost their lives to suicide. Too many lives lost far too soon.

Taylor Smith, Pre-Con & Estimating Manager, Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

Hall Constructors

Hall Constructors, part of the Hall Group of Companies, has come out the gate swinging. Their team has already raised more than $5,000 for men’s health issues. Hall is also helping build the Cowichan Hospital in Duncan, B.C. which is another win for men’s health.

Axiom Builders

Axiom Builders, or should we say Moustaxiom Builders, have come up with a slight rebrand for the month of November. Check out their team and donate here.

My motivation for raising funds for Prostate Cancer is my Father. He lost his battle with prostate cancer in 2019 when the cancer spread from his prostate to the rest of his body. He was pivotal in my life, and I miss him every day. Globally, more than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Movember is working to reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer, and I want to help them get there. Help me stop men dying too young.

Ford Chamberlain, Project Manager, Axiom Builders

Graham Construction

Graham’s bearded employees in Winnipeg gathered in the cold earlier this month to reset their beards for Movember. They plan to grow fresh facial hair for the cause and move 60 km for the 60 men who are lost to suicide each year globally. The various Graham teams will be documenting their weekly beard moustache progress to see who can grow theirs the quickest. Which office will take the win?

Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical

The Pitt Meadows team is in its fourth year raising money for Movember. The company is challenging all its employees team to raise funds during the month of November that will be donated to a charity focused on men’s health. The company noted that men’s health issues are particularly important as approximately 85% of its workforce is male. All donations up to $10,000 will be matched by the company. From 2020 to 2022, the team was able to raise over $72,000.

My Motivation this Movember is my Nephews Kayden and Kohyn. I want them to grow up in a world where men don’t feel uncomfortable talking about their feelings or their health. Where it’s braver to be honest about how you are doing as opposed to hiding it to seem stronger. I love these boys so much and want them to always have the resources for help readily available.

Marisa Anglin, Welder, Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechancial

Multiplex

Things are getting fuzzy for Multiplex’s Canadian operations. Terry Olynyk, president and managing director of Canada for the company, announced that the group’s Movember campaign is in full swing. Established in Australia in 1962, Multiplex has delivered more than 1,100 projects with a combined value in excess of US$100 billion.

Fort Modular

Fort Modular is continuing its support of Movember with its own unique fundraiser. In addition to traditional fundraising, the portable building manufacturer has special Movember branded units for rent that support the cause.

JEN-COL Construction

JEN-COL is holding it down in Alberta for Movember. The commercial construction company specializes in building schools and critical public facilities. Support their team here.

To me Movember is a time to remember the men we’ve lost along the way. The men that have struggled with cancer and the terrible affect it has on us physically and mentally. We sometimes forget that it’s ‘OK not to be OK’.

George Legault, IT Manager, JEN-COL Construction

PCL

It’s no surprise that PCL, one of the country’s largest general contractors, is getting in on Movember fundraising efforts. The company, with teams across the nation, has already raised nearly $10,000 but they are looking to raise $50,000 by the end of the month.

My father beat prostate cancer last year. Luckily, we caught it early enough to take action. Unfortunately, in generations before our family wasn’t so lucky. Prostate cancer runs in our family, and I feel the need to encourage my fellow brothers out there to get checked early. We need to break the stigma behind Men’s Health and take action.

Steven Webber, HSE Coordinator at PCL Industrial Management