Local Caledonia teacher inspires students through Movember efforts

CALEDONIA—For Geoff Cameron, assistant head of English, Languages, and Library at Caledonia’s McKinnon Park Secondary School (MPSS), raising funds each year for the Movember Foundation (MF) is a matter of honouring his two father figures.

Movember is an annual global campaign that takes place every November, where participants grow a month-long mustache to raise both awareness and funds for a variety of men’s health issues, including both prostate and testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

CALEDONIA—Local English teacher Geoff Cameron shows off the donation mug he cheerfully carries around McKinnon Park Secondary School throughout November, collecting donations from staff and students toward his annual Movember fundraiser. —Submitted photo.

“By growing a ‘mo’ and encouraging donations, individuals and teams support vital research, early detection, and education efforts aimed at improving the lives of men affected by these health concerns. The movement also fosters conversations around mental wellbeing, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage men to seek help when needed,” says the MF website.

MF raised $25.4 million across Canada in 2023, contributing to a worldwide total of $122.4 million raised by 311,249 supporters in 20 countries. The foundation touts an impressive $1.6 billion raised worldwide since its inception 21 years ago.

It was Cameron’s fellow teacher Mike Forster who reached out to The Press to let us know about his yearly efforts and how they serve to inspire staff and students at MPSS.

“My stepfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer 11 years ago. Unfortunately for him, the cancer spread to other parts of his body, and it took his life just five months later,” said Cameron on what initially inspired him to get involved. “He was just 55 years old. My youngest son was just eight months old when he died; he got to meet my stepfather once. The next year I began raising money through the Movember Foundation.”

He would continue to do so for the next decade, however around the same time he decided to take a break from his fundraising efforts, cancer would hit close to home again. 

“Sadly, that same year my biological father was diagnosed with prostate cancer,” recalled Cameron, who noted that while his father survived, he felt inspired to take up the call again and continue his decade-plus of Movember fundraising.

In the time since he first began, Cameron has raised just under $20,000.

Cameron typically asks friends and family to donate, in addition to a yearly donation from his wife and himself, but what impresses his colleagues and inspires the school is how he involves the students at MPSS in his efforts as well. 

“The other way I raise money is I walk around with a mug and collect change from the staff and students here at McKinnon Park. Between classes I’ll shake the change in the mug and at lunch I walk around the school asking for donations,” he shared.

Students who donate don’t walk away empty-handed, with Cameron offering free lollipops for every dollar donated.

“It’s a nice way to say thank you to the people who are willing to help me raise money,” he said.

With half a month to go, Cameron has already raised around $1,000 so far this year. 

He typically aims to hit $2,000 annually, but has set a goal to surpass that for 2024, with a lofty $2,500 total in sights – “a total I’ve never gotten to before.”

Cameron’s ongoing fundraising efforts for the foundation stand as a powerful tribute to the two father figures who helped shape his life. By engaging and inspiring his students to take part in the yearly tradition, he has successfully turned his cause into a community effort worthy of recognition.

“Geoff’s efforts demonstrate his commitment to fighting prostate cancer, but also the level of care that he has for his students,” said Cameron’s colleague Stephen Baxter. 

“His campaign does raise money, but perhaps even more importantly, it raises awareness amongst the students,” continued Baxter. 

“If this awareness translates to early identification and saved lives, Geoff’s mission will have been accomplished since these families will not have to suffer the same heartbreak that he did,” he concluded.

To donate directly to Geoff’s campaign, you can scan the QR code below or visit ca.movember.com and search for his name.