image copyright Movember.com
Movember is like a walkathon, but instead of walking, men grow our their facial hair to help raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. I first heard of Movember 2 years ago when a friend grew some gnarly facial hair throughout the month of November. Because he did it to raise awareness about a disease that had affected her father and taken the life of a family friend, she supported him. Still, she was incredibly happy when December 1st arrived and he reverted to his clean-shaven self.
According to the Movember website, “Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health issues each year.” I was really happy to learn about this effort. Prostate cancer rates are on par with breast cancer rates (according to the American Cancer Society, in 2008 the incidence rate for breast cancer in women was 2,632,000 and prostate cancer was 2,355,000), yet the general public receives very little education about this disease. Men’s health issues, in general, are far behind women’s health issues in terms of awareness. Movember is a fun way to get the conversation going.
a satisfied MAN moustache pomade customer
Here’s how it works. On November 1st, participants can register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face. Throughout the month, these men grow their mustaches, or other facial hair, into whatever configuration they are able to. During this time, they seek sponsorship for their efforts. As the Movember website points out, “Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.” On November 30th, Mo Bros celebrate their month-long efforts by throwing a Movember party or attending one of the galas held around the world by Movember, for Movember.
Money raised during Movember is donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, LIVESTRONG and Movember’s awareness and education program. You can see a detailed accounting of their fund allocations on the Movember website. To find out more about how you can get involved, check out the Movember website.
In honor of Movember, Thrillist has created a wonderful Movember Grooming Guide that includes Herban Lifestyle’s MAN Grooming Set and The Modern Man, Portland, OR, our new brick and mortar friend!
nifty mustachioed pouch made with repurposed fabric by UnraveledRevelry
herban lifestyle 