Download Manuary hopes to double last year`s total

Manuary organizers hope to double last year’s donations
January 4, 2014
Dr. Doug Angel (foreground) and Dr. Anthony Nicholls
prepare Dr. Leigh Sowerby for his shave to kick off "Manuary"
last year. This month, the fundraising event hopes to almost
double last year's success by raising $50,000 for Head and
Neck Cancer research at London Health Sciences Centre.
London, Ont. – To mark the beginning of
“Manuary” 2014, staff and residents from London
Health Sciences Centre’s Head and Neck Surgery
Department held a “Shave-Off” hosted by the
David E White Barbershop in downtown London
yesterday afternoon.
The professional shave that Manuary founder
Dr. Leigh Sowerby received is the last time his
face of will feel a razor for the next month.
During Manuary, participants are challenged to
grow a beard for the month of January while gathering donations in support of groundbreaking
research at London Health Sciences Centre. Organizers hope to raise $50,000 this year, almost
doubling last year’s tally of $27,276.00.
“Can you think of a better excuse to grow a beard?” asks Dr. Sowerby. “If you are unable to
grow your own facial hair, no problem…there’s an app for that: just visit the Manuary website.”
Participants can sign up individually or as a team and are then asked to encourage their friends,
family and community to sponsor their beard growth via with pledged donations.To participate,
donate, or learn about corporate sponsorship opportunities, people can visit www.Manuary.ca,
or check out “Manuary – Covering our Faces for Head and Neck Cancer” on Facebook.
Manuary was started in London and is celebrating its fourth year of raising funds and awareness
for Head and Neck Cancer, the sixth most common cancer worldwide. It’s a devastating
disease that can affect some of the most personal aspects of a patient’s life, including their
facial appearance and their ability to speak and eat.
According to Dr. Sowerby, while this type of cancer affects both sexes, men are four times as
likely to be affected and newly discovered associations with human papillomavirus (HPV) are
helping explain why it’s also rapidly becoming more common in younger patients.
“Manuary donations support critical research here in London, while raising awareness of this
disease which is often treatable if detected early,” says Dr. Sowerby.
To cap off the month-long effort, a “Facial Hair Face-off” will take place at Moxies Grill Bar
London Richmond, On January 30 from 7-9 p.m. At the event, the “crown of Manuary” will be
awarded to one individual (male or female) with the most creative facial hair (Dr. Sowerby notes
that fake beards welcome). The evening will feature music, prizes and the total amount raised
will be announced.