Shelburne County bros honour one of their own

Movember participation honours Jevon Link while also raising awareness about mental health and depression

To learn more about Movember and resources that are available online, as well as ways to donate to the cause, visit Movember.com.

The loss of one of their own has spurred a group of friends in Shelburne County to take action to help end the stigma around men's mental health and depression as part of the Movember campaign.

Their story began 10 years ago at Jevon Doane's bachelor party golf tournament, which had eight players. Nicknamed the EI Cup, the tournament became an annual event, growing to more than 30 players.

“It has become the highlight of our calendar year because of the fun we have as a group,” said Doane in an interview.

One of the EI Cup players was Jevon Link, who was well known and liked throughout the community.

“On Aug. 1, 2021, the EI Cup lost its MVP, and our community lost a friend, teammate, brother, and son," says Nick Brand, who headed up the EI Cup Team this year for the Movember campaign. "On this day, Jevon Link lost his battle with depression. Our hearts were shattered and our hope that our MVP would win the battle, like he had so many before, was lost.”

Adds Brand, “The sad part is that we all knew – but we just didn't know enough."

With just days left in the Movember campaign, the EI Cup Team exceeded its initial goal of raising $2,000 and was sitting among the top three fundraisers in Atlantic Canada.

This is the first time the EI Cup Team has participated in Movember, but not the first time it has contributed to charitable causes.

“In the last few years, we've tried to make a concerted effort to not make this just a golf tournament,” said Doane.

“We're in a position where we can make a difference. We all do well. We have good careers, so we felt we had gotten to a point where we needed to make a positive difference in our community," added Doane. "This year with the loss of Jevon, we basically decided we would move forward with continuing to support mental health and depression awareness.”

As of Nov. 23, the EI Cup Team had raised $8,835 and was expecting to top the $10,000 mark before the Movember campaign ended. A fundraising curling spiel at the Shelburne Curling Club on Nov. 27, hosted by the EI Cup Team, would contribute to the cause.

It was confirmed on Nov. 24 that Nick Brand is one of the nine winners of the Great Canadian Mo Challenge. His photo will be featured with the other winners on billboards across the country.

Another of the team's top fundraisers during the Movember campaign has been Josh Link, Jevon's brother.

“I'm raising funds and awareness this Movember for all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in our lives. I need your help," he explained. "With the recent passing of my brother Jevon Link, it has really opened my eyes to how big of an issue mental health has become. Not only around the world but in our small community.

"In raising these funds, we hope that it will make a difference in someone's life who may be struggling and get them the help they need and maybe even save a life,” Josh writes in his team profile.

Doane said about half of the EI Cup Team has been growing moustaches for the Movember campaign, while the others are donating, spreading awareness and getting the word out there.

“The loss of our close friend Jevon basically spurred us on and nailed down the fact

we're going to continue to support this cause in future years,” Doane said.

“A number of us said the same thing. We knew he wasn't quite himself and knew he was struggling, but never in a million years would we ever have thought it was this bad. We really didn't know what to do, or what our options are, in terms of professional support like counselling," he said.

"Part of what this fundraiser is all about is to open up some avenues for local people and young men who are struggling and don't know where to turn.”

Brand said through the team's participation in the Movember campaign, they have been able to access resources surrounding talking with people who are depressed and have shared it amongst their group.

“I think everyone is more aware if you see someone struggling," he said. "We can rely on those resources and just the fact we're doing this. That helps generate conversation

too."

Doane said people are willing to talk to those who are struggling.

“You just have to reach out. We can't afford to lose another young member of our community," he said. "I hope people are willing to step up and ask for help. There's no reason to be afraid."

As for the moustache growing, “there's been some goodnatured kidding around,” said Brand.

“There's been some trash talking going on; maybe we'll call it dirt talking. Some of the moustaches have been labelled dirty or greasy,” said Doane. “Maybe at the end of the month, we'll hold some sort of Facebook challenge for the best or worst moustache.”

Brand said the team is appreciative of all the support it has received so far.

“We will probably try to make it an annual thing, and hopefully, it will grow each year, and we can continue to raise awareness for men's health and mental health.”