 "Photo: ordy Wagoner & Karina Jacques/The Daily Texan")
Tens of thousands of men around the world will try to further a tradition as they give up their razors this November to promote cancer awareness and raise funds for research.
The Movember movement, named after the Australian slang for moustache, originally began in Melbourne, Australia in 2003 by three friends who decided to raise money for cancer research. The movement has now spread to seven countries worldwide, as organizers hope to register 16,000 “Mo Bros” around the U.S. for the event, which is in its third year in the states.
Mo Bros gain financial supporters by talking to friends and family about why they are growing their moustaches. They then attend costume gala parties in big cities around the world at the end of the month to show off their facial hair. The man with the wackiest costume wins the title of “Man of Movember.”
The movement coincides with “No-Shave November,” an event that many American males participate in. However, Movember gives not shaving for a month a purpose.
Architectural engineering freshman Carlos Rodriguez, who is participating in “No-Shave November” for the second time, said he would consider participating in Movember as an extension of “No-Shave November” this year.
“I will think about it,” Rodriguez said. “People obviously will get curious, and when they ask about your moustache — why you are growing it — [it] gives them something to think about.”
Movember works through its “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” around the world, who either register as moustache-growers themselves or pledge to help promote the movement. The movement has raised $45 million for cancer research since the movement began.
Aaron Brost, a spokesman for the Movember Foundation, said he hopes the group will raise $2 million this year in the United States. The grassroots campaign spreads awareness to its key demographic, males ages 20-35, through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter but primarily by word-of-mouth.
“What’s so great is that it’s fun,” Brost said. “It’s a good time to grow a moustache and it literally changes the face of men’s health because it changes your face. It’s a great conversation starter, people ask you about it and you can talk about the campaign.”
The movement focuses on prostate and testicular cancer, two of the most common cancers in males. While prostate cancer affects an older demographic of 50 years of age and up, testicular cancer is most common among males 15 to 40 years old.
The money raised is given to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research.
“Movember has shown a true commitment to driving awareness for prostate and testicular cancer with an innovative approach,” said Doug Ulman, LIVESTRONG President, CEO and three-time cancer survivor in a statement. “We are honored to be a beneficiary of Movember’s generosity and grateful to them for supporting the LIVESTRONG movement to reduce the burden of cancer worldwide.”
American Cancer Society Representative Jessica Cardenas, who works with the University’s Colleges Against Cancer awareness group, said that basic exercise and healthy eating habits can help prevent any type of cancer, there is no specific guide to avoiding prostate or testicular cancer.
“The best prevention is early detection and knowing what the symptoms are,” Cardenas said. “Check for pain in the lower abdomen and groin and visit a doctor.”
Austin’s Movember gala party will be held Dec. 3 at Six Lounge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., with costume judging at 10 p.m. Tickets can be earned by raising $100 per ticket, or bought online at www.movember.com. Participants can also donate to and register for Movember on the group’s Web site.
