Paul Jones, News and Intranet Coordinator and organiser of Amec Foster Wheeler's global efforts in support of Movember, talks about men's health and our support for this great cause.
Amec Foster Wheeler’s employees are its most important asset and we should all do as much as possible to protect our most important asset, whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues. That’s why Movember is so important. It is estimated that almost 7 million men (along with 6 million women) globally will develop cancer in a single year, with prostate and testicular being two of the most prevalent in men. Even if you’re lucky enough to be someone who doesn’t develop cancer in your lifetime, the odds are that cancer will touch your life through a family member, friend, or a co-worker.
Awareness, education and research are helping to reduce those numbers and encouraging more men to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Movember has played a major role in making this happen.
The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, Movember has worked to improve the lives of men affected by cancer by fundraising for research and programming around the world. With the World Health Organization estimating that 510,000 men die from suicide each year, Movember also supports men’s health by encouraging better mental health and increased physical activity.
Amec Foster Wheeler’s employees have come together since 2011 to support Movember by either growing moustaches (if able), helping to fundraise, or by encouraging individuals to talk to others about health issues that they might not have otherwise discussed. Over the past four years, Amec Foster Wheeler has raised more than £200,000 for Movember with the participation of some 1,500 employees representing over 160 of our offices worldwide.
It’s these conversations that help us look after our most important assets in life – each other. And it’s for these reasons that we should all strive to have these conversations regardless of how difficult they are.
It’s imperative that men and women along with their loved ones have these conversations regarding their health, and Movember is an essential part of that. Amec Foster Wheeler encourages everyone worldwide to discuss their own health with family or friends, or to start a conversation with others, today.
Happy Movember!