Men’s Shed Wellness Week Brings Men’s Wellness, Connection and Community to Morinville
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 27, 2026
Men’s Shed Wellness Week Brings Men’s Wellness, Connection and Community to Morinville
Annual November initiative combines social connection, free wellness screening, expert education and powerful personal stories
MORINVILLE, Alberta — October 15, 2026 — Men are often expected to carry health concerns, personal struggles and difficult life experiences quietly. Men’s Shed Wellness Week is creating a different kind of space: one where men can connect without pressure, access potentially life-saving screening and participate in honest conversations about their health.
Presented by LIUNA Local 92, the inaugural 2026 Men’s Shed Wellness Week will take place November 16 and 18 in Morinville. This growing annual initiative is organized by the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club and aligns with International Men’s Day.
This year’s Wellness Week includes two distinct events: the Men’s Shed Fun & Football Night on Monday, November 16, and the Men’s Health Fair & Evening Event on Wednesday, November 18.
The November 16 Fun & Football Night is exclusively for men aged 18 and older. On November 18, the Men’s Health Fair is free, open to the public and available on a drop-in basis. The November 18 ticketed evening event welcomes men, their partners and adult family members, with all attendees required to be 18 or older.
“Men’s Shed Wellness Week is about creating opportunities for men to connect before they reach a crisis,” said Cecil Mackesey, Event Coordinator. “A shared meal, a wellness screening or hearing another man speak honestly about what he has lived through can open the door to a conversation that might otherwise never happen.”
A night for the guys
The 3rd Annual Men’s Shed Fun & Football Night will take place November 16 at the Morinville Rendez-Vous Senior Centre.
This ticketed event is exclusively for men aged 18 and older. It offers a relaxed evening of catered food, Monday Night Football, laughter and social connection. Men are welcome to come with friends or attend on their own.
The evening is intentionally simple and informal. There is no pressure to participate in a particular way. It is an opportunity for men to get out, spend time with others and experience the sense of belonging at the heart of Men’s Shed. Tickets are $25.
Free wellness screening and conversations that matter
On November 18, the Men’s Health Fair & Evening Event will take place at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre.
The free Health Fair will run from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public on a drop-in basis. Visitors can explore health organizations, community resources and supportive sponsors without purchasing a ticket.
Men will also be able to access free, confidential wellness screening through the MAN VAN®, Canada’s first mobile men’s health clinic, operated by the Prostate Cancer Centre.
Available screening includes:
- PSA blood testing for eligible men aged 40 to 70
For all men 18+:
- Mental wellness screening
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Waist circumference
Appointments take approximately 15 minutes. Advance online booking is strongly encouraged, with remaining appointments available to drop-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
A 15-minute appointment could lead to early detection, further medical investigation and, potentially, a life-saving intervention.
Although MAN VAN® screening is provided free of charge to participants, bringing the mobile clinic to Morinville is not without cost. The Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed has made a significant financial commitment to sponsor the MAN VAN® visit so local men can access this important preventive health service close to home.
The ticketed evening event welcomes men, their partners and adult family members. All attendees must be 18 or older. Guests will enjoy a catered dinner, expert guest speakers, an intimate panel conversation, prizes, swag, raffles, a 50/50 draw and a huge silent auction. Tickets are $35.
Community attendance and support are deeply appreciated and genuinely needed. Every ticket purchased, auction bid and fundraising contribution helps offset the cost of presenting Wellness Week and supports the Men’s Shed’s continued work to create accessible opportunities for men’s health, connection and prevention-focused well-being.
By showing up, guests are not simply attending an event. They are helping sustain an important community initiative and demonstrating that the health and well-being of local men matter.
Expert knowledge and lived experience
Featured speakers will include Dr. John Dushinski, Chief Medical Officer for the Prostate Cancer Centre, who will speak about men’s health and prostate cancer awareness.
Sherif Shoieb, PhD, RPh, APA, prescribing pharmacist at Morinville Shoppers Drug Mart, will lead an open, practical and judgment-free conversation about erectile dysfunction and men’s health. His presentation will address common causes, easy-to-access treatment options and related considerations such as cardiovascular risk, diabetes, medication management and preventive health.
The event will also welcome Al Hamilton, Edmonton Oilers legend and prostate cancer survivor. Hamilton was the Edmonton Oilers’ first captain, and his jersey was the first number retired by the franchise. He will bring a personal, down-to-earth perspective to prostate cancer, early detection and the health conversations men too often postpone.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments will be a panel conversation moderated by Camille Scheible, Director of the MAN VAN® Program.
Panelists Les McElwain; his wife, Edith McElwain; Terry Kirkland; Bill Santrock; and Cecil Mackesey will share their personal experiences with prostate cancer and other men’s health challenges.
Les McElwain and Terry Kirkland volunteer with the MAN VAN®, Bill Santrock is a member of the Rotary Club of Morinville Sturgeon, and Cecil Mackesey is a member of the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club. Edith McElwain will bring the important perspective of a spouse and family member navigating a serious health challenge alongside someone she loves.
Their stories will explore what it is truly like to face a serious health challenge, how that experience affected them and their families, and what they learned along the way. The conversation will be honest, intimate and grounded in lived experience, offering insight that extends beyond medical information.
Building an annual community tradition
Men’s Shed Wellness Week is a long-term annual initiative designed to establish a consistent November tradition aligned with International Men’s Day.
By building recognition and trust year after year, the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed aims to strengthen partnerships, encourage earlier attention to men’s health, reduce stigma, grow membership and volunteer involvement, and expand future wellness and educational opportunities.
This sustainable model positions the Club as a stable community anchor for men’s connection, health and prevention-focused well-being.
Community support makes the work possible
Men’s Shed Wellness Week is possible because of the extraordinary support of government and municipal partners, community organizations, local and regional businesses, health professionals, volunteers, donors, exhibitors and individuals who believe in improving men’s health and connection.
The Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed proudly recognizes LIUNA Local 92 as the 2026 Title Sponsor, Unifor – the Union as the Champion Sponsor, and Pleasant Homes Ltd., Morinville Shoppers Drug Mart, Castle Wolf Creek Building Supplies and Servus Credit Union as All-Star Sponsors.
The Club also gratefully acknowledges the foundational support of the Government of Canada’s Pan-Canadian New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Town of Morinville, Morinville Family and Community Support Services, Sturgeon County and the Westend Seniors Activity Centre, along with the many sponsors, community partners and volunteers helping bring Wellness Week to life.
Author Kathleen Cesarin is also supporting the initiative through her book, Living and Aging Well: A Practical and Holistic Guide for Older Adults, Families and Helping Professionals. Proceeds from each book purchased with a ticket to either Wellness Week event will be donated back to the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed.
To view the complete list of sponsors, funders, community partners and participating organizations, visit the Men’s Shed Wellness Week webpage. Follow the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Facebook page for sponsor recognition, event announcements and the latest Wellness Week updates.
“This extraordinary support sends a powerful message to men across our region,” Mackesey said. “You matter. Your health matters. There are people ready to stand beside you, and you do not have to face life alone.”
About the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed
The Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed is a welcoming place where men can find connection, purpose and meaningful ways to remain active and engaged.
Through social activities, hands-on projects, community service, conversation, laughter and shared learning, the Men’s Shed creates natural opportunities for men to build relationships, reduce isolation and support their overall well-being.
No man left behind.
Tickets and information
Tickets, MAN VAN® appointment booking, complete event details and sponsor information are available at:
www.mensshedclub.com/wellness-week
General information about the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed is available at:
Follow the Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580742401283
Media contact
Cecil Mackesey
Shed Lead – Events & Fundraising
Morinville Sturgeon Men’s Shed Club
Email: info@mensshedclub.com
Website: www.mensshedclub.com