Kam and Khalen Saunders Partner with Movember to Champion Men’s Health
The brothers partnered to raise awareness about critical men’s health issues
This November, Kam and Khalen Saunders joined forces with Movember, the global charity dedicated to men’s health, for their first-ever joint campaign. Kam, an artist and entertainer, and Khalen, a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, united their platforms to raise awareness about critical issues like mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Movember’s annual campaign, which invites men to grow mustaches throughout November to spark conversations, gave Kam and Khalen an opportunity to shed light on men’s health in a relatable and impactful way.
For Khalen, the campaign was about more than just growing a mustache. “Once I learned about Movember’s message and cause, it was a no-brainer to get involved,” he explained to Athletech News. “Growing out my mustache is a physical aspect of the campaign, but this is about so much more – it’s about uplifting boys and men and creating a safe space for us to talk about our physical and mental health. Doing this with Kam made it even better because it gave us another reason to spend time together despite our busy schedules.”
Credit: Khalen Saunders
The Saunders brothers infused the campaign with energy, sharing fun, lighthearted moments while encouraging serious conversations about health.
“If Kam and I being goofy and growing a mustache can inspire even a few people to take better care of themselves or smile a bit brighter, that’s a huge win in my eyes,” Khalen said.
As an NFL player, Khalen knows firsthand the pressures men face, particularly when it comes to mental health. “The biggest challenge I’ve faced at a professional level is learning how to compartmentalize. Especially when you sustain an injury, you have to take the challenge in stride and prioritize your mental health so you can come back stronger,” he said.
Khalen credits the camaraderie of his team for helping him stay grounded. “I’m a big team guy. The vibes in the locker room do a lot for me mentally – it forces me to get things off my chest. These guys know me so well, and if I’m not cracking jokes like my usual self, they notice and help me through it. That sense of community lets me let go of burdens and focus on doing what I love.”
Reflecting on their experience with the campaign, Khalen noted, “As someone with friends across all income levels and walks of life, I know that physical and mental health issues don’t discriminate. I just hope to be a beacon for others and make people’s days a little brighter. If this campaign helped even one person take their health seriously or feel supported, it was all worth it.”
To learn more about Movember’s mission and how you can support their work, visit www.movember.com.