Guys Giving Back: Worldwide Love

It makes my heart melt. (and yes, I do in fact have a heart…)

So, November is now known as #Movember. Yes, you need the hashtag for it to be legit.  #Movember is for men’s health awareness, and in particular, prostate cancer.  And what says ‘men’s health’ more than a wickedly awesome mustache? Exactly, nothing else.  Prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, is estimated to take the lives of approximately 33,000 men in 2011, and that approximately 240,000 new cases will be diagnosed.  Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, right behind lung cancer. As a soon-to-be oncology nurse, I’m always thrilled to read how athletes give back, especially when it comes to cancer and cancer research.  I’m sure many of us are following at least one NHL’er or athlete on Twitter who is growing one for men’s health. If you can, throw a dollar their way, make a small difference.  Check out http://us.movember.com/ and search for them. It’s easy really.  This prompted me to see who else is giving back, but not just in the month of #Movember.

As #movember comes to an end, I wanted to do the last GGB on a special organization that began this season.  Love 4 Lokomotiv.

Over the off season, the hockey world lost 3 great players in Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak. On September 7, 2011, the hockey world was handed another tragic loss. The loss of the KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.  The loss of 44 players, coaches, and crew members was enormous. The list of the deceased is filled with ex-NHL players and coaches. Demitra, Karpovtsev, Korolev, McCrimmon, Marek, Rachunek, Salei…  those were just some of the players who perished in the crash.

Twitter was flooded with news, condolences, tears, shock, and disbelief from players and NHL fans.  As time went on and deaths were confirmed, people began to think about the families of these young players.  Many had wives, children, parents, siblings. There was much support shown in the social media, and thus Love 4 Lokomotiv was born.  Hockey wives and girlfriends across the country, and the world, are helping to raise money for the loved ones of those who perished on September 7^th.  100% of the proceeds of the bracelets go towards helping these families. 

You’ll see them selling them at AHL, NHL, KHL games and online. Go online and donate.  Wear your bracelet proudly. It’s a fantastic way to help those who have lost so much.