Mission Statement
When we talk about men’s health, the focus often lands on what we can see: physical fitness, strength, or outward appearance. Yet, many of the health challenges claiming men’s lives are the ones we can’t see. Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health are just a few examples of these invisible illnesses that too often go unnoticed and untreated.
A major reason behind this silence is toxic masculinity. From a young age, many boys are taught that being a man means being “strong” and “tough,” that real men endure pain and hardship without showing weakness. Over time, this belief turns into a barrier, one that prevents men from reaching out when they need help the most.
We tell children, “closed mouths don’t get fed,” yet society conditions boys to stay quiet about their struggles. As they grow, asking for help becomes foreign, even shameful. These men don’t suffer in silence because they want to, they do it because they feel they have to. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
That’s why the Men of Color Network, in partnership with Muhlenberg Athletics, is organizing a 5K for Men’s Health – to stand in solidarity with every man who feels like he has no one to lean on. Our mission is to dismantle the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and show men everywhere that there are people who care, who see them, and who are ready to support them through their struggles.
Each kilometer of this 5K represents a stage of this shared journey:
1K to tear down the walls men have built to hide their pain.
1K to peer into the struggles they were too afraid to share.
1K to acknowledge the health issues they’ve faced alone.
1K to process the pain and honor those who lost their silent battles.
1K for solidarity. To show that their struggles are seen, and that we are still here.
If you’ve made it this far and want to be part of the change, register for the “A Mile in His Shoes” 5K. If you can’t participate but still wish to contribute, click the link below to donate directly to Movember, the leading global charity dedicated to changing the face of men’s health.
Let’s come together to show men that they are not alone.
All proceeds will go toward Movember, supporting research, awareness, and programs that help men live longer, healthier lives.
