I'm Elliott Nelson and I’ve proudly participated in Movember since 2023. Founded in 2003, Movember is a global leader in men’s health advocacy, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Their mission is to drive real change by funding critical research, supporting life-saving programs, and fostering open conversations about men's health. Supporting Movember means supporting their fight to break stigmas and create a healthier future for men everywhere.

This cause is personal. In 2023, my father was unexpectedly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early, and after months of treatment and determination, he is now cancer-free. During that same time my family faced another heartbreaking reality, we lost my cousin, Braedon Christopher Metz, to suicide. These two life-altering events left me searching for answers and struggling to make sense of it all.

It was in those difficult moments that I found Movember. Their resources provided not only essential information about men’s health but also a compassionate community that offered strength and support. Movember’s emphasis on mental health awareness and the importance of early cancer detection deeply resonated with me, fueling my passion for advocacy.

Last November I took on the Barfoot & Thompson Marathon as my first ever marathon in Auckland, New Zealand, dedicating my run to Braedon and to all those who have lost their battles with mental health. Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters, I completed the marathon in 3 hours and 46 minutes and raised $17,405—making me Movember’s 23rd largest individual fundraiser in 2024.

This year I’m embarking on a new challenge: an 11-day, 55-mile trek through the Italian Dolomites, starting in Cortina, Italy. As part of Movember’s Adventure Series, I’ll be climbing alongside Movember representatives and others who have been personally impacted by these issues. Together, we’ll share our stories, our motivations, and our collective message of hope and resilience while ascending to heights of 15,000 feet.

Your support means the world to me. Whether through donations, words of encouragement, or by simply sharing my story, you’re making a meaningful impact. Every contribution helps fund vital programs, spark essential conversations, and brings us closer to a world where no one has to face these challenges alone.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together we can honor those we’ve lost, support those still fighting, and advocate for a healthier future. Every step I take is for Braedon, my father, and everyone affected by these issues.

Let’s make every mile count.

To all my colleagues that donated, please remember to utilize our excellent employee donation matching policy by submitting a request here: https://williamblair.benevity.org/request-a-match

To check out some of the views: https://youtu.be/zqnFsz1GuM4?feature=shared

To follow along with my training, follow me on Strava: https://strava.app.link/guzXO3eroJb