Klamath Falls community celebrates men's health month
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Dennis Lee and John Fitch from Oregon Department of Forestry pose at the Men’s Health Celebration on December 4 at Mia & Pia’s Pizzeria & Brewhouse (Submitted photo)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - During the entire month of November, local organizations and community members participated in the first-ever Make Your Move for Men’s Health challenge. Spearheaded locally by Blue Zones Project, Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, and Rudius Quest Coaching, the month-long campaign aimed to increase awareness of men’s health in the area of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Community members – men and women alike –joined the campaign on www.Movember.com by joining the “Make Your Move for Men’s Health – Klamath Falls” challenge. During the month, men grew mustaches, and community members walked or ran 60 miles in the 30 days of November.
Alongside the community, teams from 173rd Fighter Wing, Klamath Falls City Police, Klamath County Fire District #1, and Oregon Department of Forestry competed in a separate Strut Your Stuff Challenge, with teams taking on the fitness tests that their respective employees are required to complete. These tests varied from a 2-mile hike with a 45 lb. pack, to a modified Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
Blue Zones Project and Rudius Quest Coaching hosted live interviews with men throughout the community to discuss topics such as weight loss, time management, exercise, and mental health. “One thing that stood out in all of this is that social connections, having people to hold you accountable, or a supportive family member are extremely important to helping men stay on track with their health goals. It’s not about having the motivation to exercise or eat better, it’s about having an environment that helps you be consistent,” says Chad Elbert, Owner of Rudius Quest Coaching.
On December 4, at 5:30 pm, Mia & Pia’s Pizzeria & Brewhouse hosted a celebration to wrap things up with awards and prizes. Terrance Hunter, owner of Sammy’s Parlor, was the local celebrity guest judge for the best mustache and beard contest. The team from Klamath County Fire District #1 was celebrated for winning three of the four Strut Your Stuff Challenges, retired physician Dr. Glenn Gailis received an award for logging 80 miles during the month, and community members Rafael Santiago and John Fitch won in the best mustache and best beard categories. Also recognized at the event were men of the Strut Your Stuff competition who had the overall best times at each event as the Overly Manly Man – John Fitch from Oregon Department of Forestry, Wes Kleinjen from Klamath County Fire District #1, Adrian Mateos from Kingsley Field, and Joseph Reed from Klamath Falls Police Department.
“In 2019, we set our sights on engaging more men in our community in health-related topics,” says Kendra Santiago, PR & Marketing Manager with Blue Zones Project. “The Make Your Move for Men’s Health campaign has been a great project this year, one that has opened our eyes to some of the battles men face with their own health.”
For more information about the campaign or to get involved in Blue Zones Project contact the team at 541-359-2802 or email us at info@healthklamath.org.
Press release provided by the Blue Zones Project.