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Julyna is a month-long campaign that asks women to shave their pubic hair into creative designs in exchange for donations from family, friends and coworkers to cervical cancer research.
Talk about awkward. Just imagine that conversation at by the water cooler on Monday morning. But beyond uncomfortable exchanges, health experts are warning the campaign risks everything from objectifying woman to sending the wrong information about prevention of the disease.
The campaign -- which was was inspired by 'Movember,' a month-long initiative in which men grow mustaches in exchange for donations to prostate cancer research -- is backed by the Canadian Cancer Society, which told the Globe that a crowded market forces campaigns to look for unique ways to catch the public's attention.
But is it worth offending women to stand out?
The campaign is "sexing up cancer," according to Meredith Dault, a graduate student at Queen's University who is studying the booming popularity of pubic hair maintenance and removal.
She told the Montreal Gazette, "It all sounds very Sex and the City to me. Men get to grow ironic moustaches -- which they probably want to do anyway -- and women have to go through the pain of shaving or waxing. ... it seems a little off to me."
Dault complained that the Julyna campaign co-opts the last area of the female body that hasn't been commodified and suggested that if those who organized the initiative wanted to be really bold, they would encourage women to stop shaving their pubic hair for the month instead. "Imagine the beach scenes!" she added.
The campaign also fails to impress Joan Murphy, clinical lead for the Ontario Cervical Cancer Screen Program at Cancer Care Ontario and gynecologic oncologist in the Princess Margaret Cancer Program at University Health Network. She told the Globe that while she understands the campaign's inspiration, Movember, which has used a little extra facial hair to raise millions, “Pubic hair … it doesn’t have the, at least I hope it doesn’t, have the visibility,” she said. “I think this is going to miss that mark.”
With so many charities competing for public donations, a growing number of organizations are using titillation (see the "I Heart Boobies" breast cancer bracelets) to get attention.
Gayle Sulik, an American researcher and author of Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women’s Health, sees many parallels between the sexualization of and corporate participation in breast cancer charities and the Julyna campaign.
"The use of lighthearted messages and sexual innuendo creates a muted version of awareness, exploits women’s bodies and ignores the devastating impact cancer has on individuals and their families," Dr. Sulik told the Globe and Mail.
WHAT IS JULYNA?
http://www.julyna.com/
Julyna’s Mission Statement
To increase awareness of cervical cancer, and to promote healthy lifestyle choices in an effort to prevent the spread of HPV. In addition, we aim to raise money for The Canadian Cancer Society for the funding of further cervical cancer research.
Julyna’s Vision Statement
Julyna strives to become an internationally recognized organization by creating media buzz around cervical cancer, and to raise funds for the research and prevention of this disease.
Here is how to Donate to:
1) Join the team
2) Donate to someone participating
Download a Pledge Form: Pledge Form
3) Send a cheque to: Please include a note saying that it’s for Julyna
Susanne Morphet (Julyna)
Canadian Cancer Society
55 St. Clair Ave W. Suite 500
Toronto, ON M4V 2Y7
4) Buy a ticket to the event on July 28th (see events section for details) Note: The Canadian Cancer Society will issue tax receipts for all charitable donations. Please email Susanne Morphet for any questions regarding donations: smorphet@ontario.cancer.ca
Julyna’s strategy involves a month of fundraising and awareness for cervical cancer in July, via:
a) A website with clear and concise cervical cancer information and links to community resources and The Canadian Cancer Society.
b) A month of individual fundraising by women, gathering pledges in support of their Julyna efforts.
c) The Garden of Eden event to celebrate money raised and to raise further funds for cervical cancer.
d) Various social media campaigns via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and partnering salons such as Gee Beauty.
YULINA DESIGNS: Choose yours
The Arrow:
This style is a variation of the landing strip that gives the viewer even more guidance and direction.
Charlie Chaplin:
An English comic actor, film director and composer almost as famous for his iconic mustache as he was for his contribution to the arts. And who would have thought that this clever little rectangle would look so good below the belt? By wearing a Charlie this July you will be paying an ode to slap stick comedy and the 1920s silent film era.
The Barbara Bush:
Barbara Pierce Bush (born June 8, 1925) is the wife of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush, and served as First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993. She is the mother of the 43rd President George W. Bush and of the 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush. No one knows how she styles her pubic hair but I’m assuming that she is too busy to trim.
The Heart:
The Moustache:
This design provides a nod to the original inspiration for Julyna
The Brazilian:
The Rising Sun:
The Landing Strip:
Leaves a vertical strip in front, a finger-width long just above. The landing strip wax has become popular with models who must wear garments of an extreme narrowness in that region.
The David Suzuki:
Nothing says protecting public climate, reconnecting with nature and building community like the David Suzuki style. If you’re looking for a way to offset your carbon footprint, this is not it. But this guilt free, low maintenance style conserves grooming energy by teetering on the verge of being au natural.
The Side Part:
This style implies maturity and sophistication and for any businesswoman slaving away on Bay Street, trading stocks or selling mutual funds. It’s fun and flirty but at the same time sends the message: I want to be taken seriously.
Get Julyna ready at Gee Beauty!
The ladies of Gee are the resident experts in maintenance and detailing for “down below” and have generously agreed to partner with Julyna throughout the month of July to help raise funds and awareness for cervical cancer. Don’t try and tackle the “David Suzuki” yourself, leave it to the ladies at Gee and enjoy their fabulous space at 2 Roxborough Street West.
•Just follow these simple steps:
•Select your desired design
•Call Gee Beauty at 416-486-0080 to book your “Julyna” appointment
Be sure to reference that you are there for Julyna as they are offering their waxing services for $60 (with a portion of the proceeds going to the Julyna campaign)
CERVICAL CANCER FACTS
Incidence
It is estimated that 1300 Canadian women and their families will have to deal with the reality of a cervical cancer diagnosis this year alone.
Cervical cancer can affect young women in their 20’s and 30’s. It is the second most common cancer in women aged 20-44, after breast cancer.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a common virus called HPV. Approximately 75% of sexually active men and women in Canada will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime. For some, this will lead to cervical cancer.
Mortality
The lifetime probability of a woman dying from cervical cancer in Canada is 1 in 445.
Prevention
Luckily, women can prevent most incidences of cervical cancer by properly screening themselves for the disease. Once women become sexually active they should have a Pap test every 1-3 years. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical cancer and is spread through genital skin-to-skin contact. There are 2 vaccines approved for use in Canada to prevent HPV infection should be viewed as a complement, not a replacement, for cervical cancer screening.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Click here for more detailed information about cervical cancer, risk factors, screening, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, staging, and treatment.
If you wish to share your personal experience with cervical cancer, please click here: http://cancerconnection.ca/Groups/Cervical_Cancer
VANESSA WILSON AND TEAM JULYNA
Let me introduce myself, my name is Vanessa Willson and I am the founder of Julyna: a team of like minded people focused on raising money and awareness for cervical cancer. We are made up of individuals in finance, healthcare, theater, PR, sales, marketing, TV production, and jewelry design—an eclectic group bound together by a passion for fighting back against cervical cancer. We plan on giving all the money raised during July to The Canadian Cancer Society.
Julyna was dreamt up by a group of girls sitting around a booth at Le Petit Castor, in Rosedale, Toronto. It was mid-November, right around the time that Movember (The global charity that raises funds and awareness for men’s health through the power of the moustache) was in full swing. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could grow out our mustaches?” one of us said after a sip of her pink panther. “Well, I’m sure I could grow one,” another laughed. At that very moment there was a suggestion, “Why don’t we start a charity to raise money for cervical cancer? What about calling it muffember, or bevember, or vulvember…?” The names kept coming but it wasn’t until many months later that we came up with the term “Julyna.” The cause was obvious--as all of us knew someone who had experienced cervical cell dysplasia or cancer. Hence, Julyna was born and the rest is history.
The rules for Julyna are simple: Women will spend the month of July exercising creativity and personal wellness by choosing a style for their hair down there and sticking to it—as a fundraising technique. Women don’t have to leave it au naturel, or choose a standard pattern like “The Charlie Chaplin.” They can make something up. Get creative! Not only do we hope that Julyna raises funds for cervical cancer, but also that the added attention drawn below the belt will inspire women to take care of this area in other ways, i.e. through scheduled Pap tests or by discussing the HPV vaccine with their family doctors. I’ve been getting a lot of people saying “I won’t get to see the designs, so why would I give money without proof?” First of all, people give money to marathon runners and it’s rare that they will actually see him/her running. Secondly, do you really need proof of the handy work to give money to a cause that will ultimately result in saving the lives of many women? That’s right, I didn’t think so! So to all you philanthropists out there—get creative and get generous. And, if you don’t want to style your hair for money, please donate to the cause by sponsoring someone who is participating in Julyna this year.
Thanks for your support,
Vanessa Willson and Team Julyna
EVENTS
Garden of Eden Event
A classy black tie event held at the trendy Queen West 99 Sudbury building on Thursday July 28th.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE EVENT!
Attracting 300+ young philanthropists, predominantly downtown professionals from financial, legal, marketing, and creative industries, celebrity VIPs, and urban tastemakers.
In support of raising awareness and funding for the prevention, detection, and treatment of cervical cancer.
What to Expect:
•VIP area
•Live performances
•Silent auction and various prizes to give away
•Appetizers handed out by enchanting servers
•Important guest speakers
•A world class DJ who played at the Vancouver Olympics
•A live performance by Peter Farmer who will be painting a model during the evening with a lucky winner walking away with the masterpiece at the end of the night.
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Stylehopper.com will be hosting a sale of custom designed removable covers from GelaSkins that are perfect for protecting and customizing portable devices. The sale will run July 5th through 9th and is open to all Stylehopper members. To purchase your custom GelaSkin today please go to www.stylehopper.com. Gelaskins has generously donated the custom designed Julyna skins that will be on sale on Stylehopper.com from $10 to $20 with all proceeds going towards the Canadian Cancer Society.
Garden of Eden Event Details:
The live performer: Jamie from LaRouge Entertainment
Jamie has generously donated her aerial act to Julyna’s Garden of Eden event this year. She will be hanging from the rafters, dressed like Eve of Adam and Eve. Maybe we can even get her to sport a giant snake to go around her neck. She is an expert dancer and performer as well as one of the founders of LaRouge entertainment. “LaRouge has access to top North American talent. We are an elite entertainment provider, with a roster that includes talent from shows on Broadway, the West End, MTV, Much Music, Macao, Vegas, on TV, in movies and more!” – www.larougeentertainment.com.
The Artist: Peter Farmer
Peter Farmer has been painting for over 15 years creating collections of work that have been featured in art galleries across the country. For the last three years Peter Farmer has been performing with musical artists on stage, painting a wide array of images to the music being performed. Painting wildly on massive canvases in record time to create beautiful and original artwork. Using live Models he demonstrates to the public how paintings are created from start to finish.
He created and developed the Art Cabaret, Luchador Proper and Paragon Collective, all groups of artists which promote live painting in conjunction with musical performance. Peter has performed with Canadian musical acts such as Team Canada, Kid Koala, Skratch Bastid, Aaron Collier, Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, Rich Aucoin, Ghettosocks and many more, in venues all across Canada. This has earned him ECMA and Music Nova Scotia nominations for the best visual artist.
Peter has also live painted for such functions: The Underwear Affair (Montreal, QC), Engineers without borders (Montreal, QC), The East Coast Music Awards (Charlettetown P.E.I), Music Nova Scotia Awards (Yarmouth NS), Joints in Motion (Halifax, NS). Creative Nova Scotia Awards (Halifax NS).
The Venue: 99 Sudbury (The Lounge)
The DJ: Andrew Graham Hussey
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