Meet GianPaul Delle Donne, this week’s Campus Celebrity! If he already looks a little familiar, that’s because this fifth year Psychology and Business student was also the campaign head for Movember WLU this past month. We sat down with him this week to get his feedback on the entire process and to get to know this inspirational Golden Hawk a little bit better.
Of all the philanthropic efforts, why does Movember speak loudest to you?
In my first and second year at Laurier, my roommate’s dad was going through some tough times dealing with this health, so we decided to raise money ourselves. It really put the importance of men’s health and fundraising into perspective. I was also having a tough time with my own mental health in my second year. I wasn’t the most positive person during that time, which made me realize that generating responsiveness on the issue of mental health was important to me. A friend of mine got me involved with the Movember WLU campaign. He passed his position down to me after he graduated and it’s been a very rewarding two years!
Now that your role as campaign head has come to close, what do you hope to see in the future for WLU Movember?
I’m really impressed with how Movember at Laurier has gained popularity. Now that it’s my time to pass the torch, I would really like to see more engagement and involvement on campus from a fundraising standpoint. We collaborated with a lot of clubs this year and it was a great way to spread the word, but it would be nice to see more students getting involved in the whole initiative. Growing out a moustache is one thing, but donating to Movember and raising awareness about testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and men’s mental health is really what this month is about. Many people struggle with mental health, and it would be great if Movember could be used as a way to inform students of the resources available on campus to help them through these issues. I would also like to see more feeling of inclusion towards other gender types wanting to be a part of the campaign. There’s obviously a stigma around Movember being a men’s thing, but there are many opportunities for all gender types to be involved as well. I’m looking forward to see how the future of Movember at Laurier unfolds.
Describe the most fearless thing you’ve ever done.
When I was sixteen, I moved away from home to pursue a hockey career in Ottawa. It was definitely a big change, especially at a young age, but I was able to really learn a lot about myself as a person and that sense of independence.
Most rewarding experience from donning?
The people I’ve met over the years have been incredible! I’ve definitely met some of my lifelong friends through donning, and it’s a decision I always cherish and strongly recommend to anyone at Laurier.
Most embarrassing moment at Laurier?
There’s been many, but I think an ABC (Anything But Clothes) party in first year tops the list. I went in a garbage bag onesie with a big red bowtie, but by the end of the night it was falling apart and needed a couple people to hold it up. Definitely the biggest wardrobe malfunction of my university career.
If you could say something to a large group of people, what would it be?
I would say to approach life with positivity and that you can always take the time from your schedule for somebody else. Whether it’s for 5 minutes or 5 hours, it can make the world of a difference to that person. As human beings, I believe that we can do a better job at caring for one another and working towards common goals together rather than individually.
Just because November is over doesn’t mean that this Golden Hawk is done raising awareness for Movember! Learn more about GianPaul and his efforts toward this initiative at Movember WLU.