Movember at Mac
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It’s a perfect pairing. A month long fundraising campaign promoting men’s health issues. And the specially trained experts who produce a radio active product used in the treatment of prostate cancer. They are called the Critical Mass-staches. And they are newest team to join McMaster University’s Movember campaign. Maria Hayes reports.
30-feet down, surrounded by water. The beautiful blue glow, a sign McMaster University’s nuclear reactor is operational. Generating 3-megawatts of power. It’s also generating something else. Radio isotopes.
Chris Heysel is Director of the Nuclear Operations at McMaster and creator of ‘Critical Mass-taches’: “They give off a bit of energy. So that energy can be used to diagnose or find a tumour or a disease. Or that energy can be deposited on a disease to help cure it.
The type of isotope created here is I 125. Used specifically in patients with prostate cancer. The motto among the staff members creating this life saving substance is 100 dads a day.
Chris: “100 dads. 100 uncles. 100 brothers, friends, sons. It’s something to motivate us to get up and come to work everyday.”
For years, Chirs sponsored friends who took part in Movember campaigns. And then it him: “I really became interested because it’s a perfect fit, with the reactor. We’re helping with the cure through the production of the I 125.”
And as the budding staches indicate, members of this nuclear family agree. 22-members of the newly organized “Critical Mass-taches” have already raised almost $2,000.
Chris: “I thought we’d have a good participation. But it’s been wonderful. Way beyond my expectations.”
They’ve also been embraced by the University’s team, the McMosters, and are hoping to clinch a national title that would earn them a visit from astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Chris: “I’m a big fan of his. So I think it would be wonderful if we can pull it off this year.”
Competition aside, Heysel says the Movember campaign has already triggered positive change. He’s no longer embarrassed telling people his department is involved in prostate cancer treatment: “People are talking about it. Money is being raised. They’re doing all the right things.. And I really am proud to be part of such a wonderful campaign.”
To contribute to Mac’s Ccritical Mass-taches, visit the Movember website, and search for the team name.
