Nova Scotia man shares his Movember motivations

Motivated by Movember Cancer survivor has set out to raise awareness of testicular cancer. Ceilidh Millar reports

HALIFAX — A Nova Scotian man is on a mission to run and share his experience with testicular cancer to help others. With a physically demanding marathon approaching, he's on a Movember campaign to encourage men to discuss their mental health – all while sporting a fine moustache.

Up until Friday, each step Rick Mamye takes will be made with intention as he prepares for a massive physical undertaking.

"We're going to be doing the 4x4x48 challenge – so running four miles every four hours for 48 hours," says Mamye.

While it's definitely a challenge, it's nothing compared to the marathon of a health battle he's endured as a testicular cancer survivor.

Four years ago, Mamye – who has been in the Navy for 16 years – had emergency surgery to remove his testicle. Having detected his cancer in the early stages, he's grateful for friends who encouraged him to do self-examinations.

"There's no need to be ashamed of a testicular check," says Mamye. "There's no need to be ashamed that you're struggling a little bit mentally."

Lending his voice – and facial hair – to the Movember campaign, Mamye is shedding light on a serious fact: men are dying too early, and not just from cancer.

Mamye notes the movement's mission is also about smashing societal expectations of masculinity, which is paramount during a particularly isolating time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"One of our biggest downfalls as men, in general, is we don't like to talk about anything under the surface level," says Mamye.

And it's the deep issues that the Movember campaign aims to tackle.

"If we can start to acknowledge the fact that social isolation can be a mental health issue, then we can begin to talk about it and try to get ahead of some of these problems," says Halifax Movember committee chair, Mike Milloy.

Now cancer-free, Mamye's passion for Movember hasn't waned. He's been posting videos and photos on his run Facebook page called Mo Miles, highlighting the importance of exercise on mental health, as he prepares to hit the ground running on Friday – sporting his Movember mustache.

"My stache is definitely doing OK this year," says Mamye. "Ready to keep my up upper lip warm while I'm out running."