Wondering why so many guys are walking around campus, growing their scruff? November isn’t just Turkey month, but also the month dedicated to bringing awareness to men’s health! “Movember” or “No Shave November” is particularly focused on enlightening the public about testicular and prostate cancer, as well as men’s mental health issues. Men start off the month with a clean face, letting their facial hair grow until the end of the month. By registering at movember.com, men around the country will either sign up individually or with a group to raise funds for research by asking for sponsors for their cause and uploading photos of their progress in growing their facial hair.
But this isn’t a fight just for men. Many women, or ‘Mo sistas’, join the cause as well. By registering and raising funds themselves, women are helping the cause. They are participating by making sure the men they care about are getting informed on their health and encouraging them to join the cause as well.
Conn ‘Mo Bros’ showing off their staches’
Here at Connecticut College, hockey player Marc Roper ’15 formed a team to join the Movember movement and it has been a huge success. We were lucky enough to speak with a few of these dedicated gentlemen and learn more about their motivation and the organization. Marc explained with enthusiasm: “The goal is simple, to raise awareness about prostate cancer, along with testicular cancer and just healthy living for men in general. So when someone sees one of us walking the streets with a mustache and asks ‘why is that guy growing such a ridiculous piece of lint on his face,’ then we have done our job in raising awareness to at least one more person (so long as they get an answer to their question).”
With almost 50 participants, the team has raised over $3,000 and the reach is more than any of them ever expected. Eric Naclerio ’15 told us, “Everywhere you go now, there is someone with a mustache and its just unbelievable to see how big this has gotten.”
Movember is a time for people to come together for the those they care about, and also a great way to show support by having fun with bonding with their fellow men. Former Campus Cutie, James Messina expressed, “I personally have gotten involved, because I know people that have been affected by these diseases, and also I thought it would be a great charity for members of the lacrosse team to support and get behind since we are an all male team. Although I may not be experiencing some of the issues other members with fuller mustaches are having, this has been the longest time in my life that I’ve gone without shaving my mustache and its been interesting to say the least.”
So far the team has raised just over $3,000 and even though Novemer is almost over, they continue to raise funds and awareness. As Connor Wolfe’ 16 explained, “Everyone has a reason to grow facial hair. I’ve known men who have had deadly cancers, so this is a great way to give back to community.” You can help the cause now! Check out movember.com to learn more and don’t forget to to visit Conn’s page to donate! On the site, each team member explains their reasons for joining the movement and their motivation for growing their sometimes-awkward-looking facial hair. We are so inspired by our Camel men for joining a great cause and spreading awareness about this important issue! Thanks Movember Men!