Ready, Set, GROW!!!

By Stefan Fortmann

Men let their moustaches grow to raise awareness for male cancer during the month
of November.
Bethany Lester advertises the 2012 edition of Movember and attempts to become a Mo Bro by imitating a
moustache. Photo by: Stefan Fortmann

The first days of December are not only a reminder that Christmas is in our midst,
but also marks the disappearance of millions of moustaches around the world.
Movember, more commonly known in the USA as No-Shave November is a 30-day
period where male participants do not shave, in attempt to grow a moustache. They do this
to raise awareness for male cancer.
Through the power of the moustache, awareness and funds are raised for mens
health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives, said Tom Whiteside, director
of Grassroots Engagement at the Movember foundation.
Like many others, this unique idea came about in a pub. A group of males in
Adelaide, South Australia, grew out moustaches to raise funds for a local charity. A simple
idea from the pub now raises millions of dollars around the globe.
Official Movember campaigns are taking place in 21 countries this year, Whiteside
said. By the end of the year 2011, a total of 299 million dollars were raised due to efforts
from 1.9 million Mo Bros (male participants) and Mo Sistas (female supporters).
One of these Mo Bros is Curtis Van Iseghem, a sophomore and finance and
accounting major at Elon University. Despite having being called a grizzly bear and a
lumberjack, he wears his moustache with pride.
I tend to grow better facial hair than my friends, so its a real confidence booster for
me, said Iseghem, who has taken part in the Movember for a few years.
Iseghem was inspired to grow out his facial hair because he had gone through high
school shaving every second day, and wanted to change that. The month of Movember
posed the perfect opportunity for this.
I like the idea of the No-Shave November. Not only do I support the fight against
male cancer, but I get to be lazy for an entire month when it comes to shaving, Iseghem
said.
Not only do participants save thousands of lives by creating awareness, they also
become part of a family. Without being aware of it, Iseghem become Mo Bros with Zachary
Phillips, another sophomore at Elon University.
Phillips is no stranger to the Movember scene either. This is my third year taking
part in the No-Shave November, said Phillips, who is growing a moustache along with his
roommates.
Although he is aware of the reason behind the moustache during November, it is not
the primary reason for his participation. The awareness definitely plays into it, and Im glad
to do what I can, but its more of a fun thing for me, Phillips said.
Its a great time to come across as someone who you really arent. Ive been called a
Hippie, but thats ok, because its more acceptable during November, Phillips said.
Having travelled from Australia to South-Africa, to Europe and America, the
moustache is not only changing the face of men, but also the face of mens health.



* More information on getting involved can be found at movember.com.