Canadian rockers The Sheepdogs are about to be a lot less shaggy. In the past year and a half, the band has been personally affected by cancer, with the group’s drummer Sam Corbett being diagnosed with testicular cancer and the loss of Ryan Gullen’s dad to cancer. With that on their mind, the band has chosen to partner with Movember to help raise money and raise awareness around early cancer detection and men’s health. Sam will kick things off with an interview tonight on ET Canada, where he will speak about his own battle with cancer. Meanwhile, Shamus Currie will be shaving down at Movember Canada’s official Toronto kick-off at stackt MARKET with several other high-profile participants. Sam and Shamus will be raising funds to grow their moustaches for the month of November, and if the band is able to raise $10,000 bassist Ryan Gullen will shave his beard into a moustache. Gullen has not shaved his face since 2006. Fans of the band can donate to the effort at http://bit.ly/SheepdogsMOVEMBER.
Of the importance of early detection, Sam says “I really like how Movember’s focus for testicular and prostate cancer is on early detection and prevention. I feel lucky to have caught my testicular cancer early, but if I had been doing regular checks, I probably would have got it even earlier, and maybe I could have caught it before it spread to my lymph nodes”
Gullen adds, “”In the past year, losing my dad to cancer and seeing my friend and bandmate successfully beat cancer really opened my eyes to how important it is for us to be conscious of our health and how important early detection is. As much as we learn, there still is a stigma that is associated with checking yourself or going and seeing the doctor. Because we were so closely impacted by that we really wanted to be part of such a great cause to do what we can with the band to help get the message out there and raise money for Movember”
Movember is the leading global men’s health charity working to change the face of men’s health. The charity raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programs that enable men to live happier, healthier and longer lives. Committed to disrupting the status quo, millions have joined the movement, helping fund over 1,250 projects focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide prevention. In addition to tackling key health issues faced by men, Movember is working to encourage men to stay healthy in all areas of their life, with a focus on men staying socially connected and becoming more open to discussing their health and significant moments in their lives. The charity’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. To donate or learn more, please visit Movember.com.
