Members of the Saint Francis community are again participating in “Movember,” a global movement to raise funds and increase awareness of different types of male cancers and the importance of mental health among men.
It marks the 14th straight year that SFU faculty and staff members are participating in the event.
Many of those who participate in the Movember initiative refrain from shaving for the entirety of November. This is intended to connect men with one another through a shared experience and remind them that they are not alone.
This year’s Saint Francis Movember Team will honor the memory of Tom Fritz. He served as the University’s Controller and Assistant Vice President of Finance for 20 years. Fritz also assisted in the management of SFU’s Immergrun Golf Course.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023 and passed away in August following complications from colon cancer.
Tom’s wife, Tracy, and his daughter Tara, are serving as honorary captains of this year’s Movember Team at SFU. The official name of this year’s SFU team is “In the Memory of Tom Fritz Movember Team.”
Movember isn’t only for men who intend to grow out their mustaches. Anyone can take part by raising awareness, making a donation, or showing their support through solidarity.
Over the last 14 years, SFU Movember teams have raised over $35,000, with almost all profits going directly to research, prevention and support programs.
“We are hoping to make this the biggest year yet to honor the memory of our friend and colleague,” said John Miko, Associate Dean of the Shields School of Business and the lead organizer of this year’s Movember Team.
