MEDIA ALERT: TORONTONIANS MAKE A SPLASH FOR MEN'S HEALTH WITH 5TH ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE TAKING PLACE AT CHERRY BEACH

TORONTO, Nov. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - This Saturday, November 25, 2023, nearly 100 Torontonians will brave the elements and dash into Lake Ontario's frigid waters, taking part in the 5^th annual Movember Polar Plunge. A true one-of-a-kind experience, this year's Polar Plunge promises to be one for the books, with nearly 100 attendees expected from across the GTA, stripping down to their speedos, and banding together to tackle the chilly Lake Ontario water for 60 seconds. That 60 seconds stands for the 60 men who will lose their lives every minute to suicide globally. It's a serious stunt with a serious message. 

Now in its 5^th year, The Polar Plunge was founded by Evan Smith, whose own mental health struggle led him to Movember. Now, years later, the Plunge is a grassroots community-led initiative, with all proceeds going back to Movember, the world's leading men's health charity.

WHAT:

• Nearly 100 Toronto Movember supporters Including those directly affected by Movember causes:

WHEN: 

• Saturday, Movember 25^th, 2023
  • 10:30 a.m. ? Plungers Arrival - pre-plunge interviews available
  • 11:00 a.m. ? Opening remarks, Strip down and Plunge
  • 11:15 a.m. ? 11:30 a.m. ? group photos - post-plunge interviews available.

WHERE: 

• Cherry Beach, 1 Cherry Street, Toronto, ON.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Shane DeMerchant, Movember Canada + Polar Plunger ? to speak to what Movember is, the causes Movember supports and how Torontonians can get involved.
• Evan Smith ? Polar Plunge Founder and Polar Plunger
• Local Toronto Movember supporters who have been directly impacted by Movember causes:
  • Jeff Morrison, Prostate Cancer Survivor
  • Jason Hubbell, who has been touched by both prostate cancer and mental health.
  • Scott Cumming, who seen the impacts of mental health

Since 2003, Movember has built a global men's health movement, funding more than 1,320 projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men's health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men. Movember has taken on three of the biggest health issues affecting men: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide and over 20 years has:

• Invested almost $350 million in over 600 biomedical research projects, focusing on prostate and testicular cancer.
• Funded 4 prostate cancer registries, with over 200,000 men enrolled from 23 countries.
• Supported interventions designed to assist and guide men through the prostate cancer journey, offering them resources and information so that they are empowered to make their own decisions, manage symptoms and share lived experiences.
• Since taking on mental health and suicide prevention as a cause area in 2006, Movember has united experts, funded bold new approaches and embraced fresh perspectives. We've focused on prevention, early intervention, and health promotion through a male lens.

Movember is for everyone, not just for men.  We are a health movement and our invitation to take part is open to everyone. We champion healthcare that is sensitive to the needs of everyone, including men, so that everyone benefits. We have a strong focus on how improving men's health can have a profoundly positive impact on women, families, and society. We are leading the charge in encouraging men to adopt healthy behaviours, challenging health systems and confronting gender norms to reduce health inequalities and save more lives.

SOURCE Movember Canada