Go Hairy for a Cause: Men’s Health Awareness Month

It is that time of the year again! With both No-Shave November and Movember kicking into high gear this month, things should obviously get hairy. Men all over the country participate in No-Shave November or Movember by abstaining from shaving for the entire month. Sounds fun, right? But it is not just a fun-themed month. Movember and No-Shave November are both great ways to start a conversation about the serious health issues that men face.

These events initiated by charitable organizations are dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health issues, addressing them, and donating one month’s expenses on hair appointments for this cause. While these two events are frequently grouped together, they are not exactly the same. Despite the common interchange of names, both organizations support the bold embracement of body hair and charitable support for men’s health. Are we all set to stay away from our razors to participate in these November’s trends?

1. No-Shave November: What Is That About?

The Chicago-based Matthew Hill Foundation’s No-Shave November initiative is a month-long push for men and women to ditch their razors or trimmers and get scruffy (this includes all body hair) for a good cause. This initiative is solely dedicated to cancer awareness and prevention in remembrance of Matthew Hill, the husband, and father of the No-Shave November founders, who died of colon cancer.

The goal of No-Shave November is to raise awareness by embracing and letting our hair grow wild and free, which many cancer patients lose. Participants are encouraged to donate the money spent on monthly hair maintenance to cancer research, support, and education.

2. Grow a Mo, Save a Bro: Movember

The “mo” comes from “mustache” with “November” – Movember. Movember is about only mustaches that are not shaved and untrimmed. Unlike No-Shave November, an annual fundraiser for a charity of your choice, Movember, on its own, is a charitable organization. They are committed to funding projects focused on men’s health and suicide prevention, as well as testicular and prostate cancer research.

Beyond growing a mustache, the organization has expanded to include running or walking for suicide awareness and signing up to be a monthly donor. If you are growing a mustache for Movember, they emphasize that it does not matter if it is patchy or full; the important part is that you participate.

3. Here Is the Real Deal!

“Movember” or “No-Shave November” is an opportunity for us to take a moment and raise awareness and funds to support the health of our men, our brothers, fathers, sons, and grandfathers, who all too often do not seek help.

In the end, it does not matter what you do or how you do it; what matters is that you are willing to publicly express your support for the cause you care about to create an impact and effect change. Whether you are growing out your body hair full-fledged for No-Shave November or a sweet mustache for Movember, the most important part this month is remembering why you are doing it. You are doing it to help men going through a difficult life experience that will change their outlook and path in life. So use your voice, and support your bro!