Lauren Baron
BRANT NEWS

He’s “Uncle Moustache,” “Moustache Cam” and sometimes he’s just “Moustache.”

Cam Weir is called many things, but rarely Cam Weir.

“I figure, you only go through life once, so you might as well be a character,” Weir said.

The Brantford resident’s handlebar moustache has become a symbol of his identity. For the past three decades, he’s been growing the “mo,” which has reached lengths of up to 16 inches outward from the corners of his mouth.

“It’s kind of like my signature piece,” Weir said. “It’s me. It’s my calling card.”

But that calling card might disappear, for the right price.

If Weir, who serves as business development manager for Kelsey’s and Montana’s Cookhouse, can raise $10,000 he will shave his face clean on Nov. 30 in support of prostate cancer research.

The shave-off will take place during a party at Brantford Kelsey’s between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Nov. 30.

Weir is calling his fundraising journey the “Reverse Movember,” since his 30-year effort will be shaved off, instead of grown, in support of men’s health.

During Movember (also known as November), thousands of men across Canada and around the world are growing a moustache to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.

On average, 73 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day and 26,500 men will be diagnosed each year, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Since 2004, Movember participants have raised more than $300 million to support programs and services through Prostate Cancer Canada, the Canadian Male Health Network and other organizations across the globe.

The cause is close to Weir’s heart. His neighbour’s brother recently passed away from prostate cancer, his wife’s grandfather had it and a close friend was just diagnosed.

“It’s a cure for our future,” Weir said. “I’ve got two young sons aged 10 and 13. The time to act is now.”

Weir’s moustache journey began while he was working for a restaurant chain in Winnipeg. The chain needed a volunteer to grow a moustache for a charity moustache and beard growing competition.

“That first year I lost miserably,” he said. “But the kids loved it. I’d see their eyes light up like I was this little magical clown.”

Now on the cusp of losing his 30-year moustache, Weir says he has mixed emotions.

“Who knows what’s under there?” he said. “People 
used to stare at me because of the big moustache. After the 30th, people will stare 
at me because I don’t have one.”

Weir’s co-workers at Kelsey’s in Brantford are excited to see what he looks like under all that hair.

“It’s all I know of him,” said George Pelletier, general manager of Brantford’s Kelsey’s restaurant. “When he came from Winnipeg, he just walked in and I was really and truly stunned. It was like, ‘who is this guy?’ And then he was just ‘Moustache Cam.’”

So far, Weir has raised $3,600, but he’s looking to the residents of Brantford and the County of Brant to help him raise the rest and help him become one of the top Movember fundraisers in the country.

“Let’s get Brantford behind me to make my 10 grand,” he said. “Let’s put Brantford on the map.”

Visit www.mobro.co/camhandlebarweir to donate.