No shave November
Maya Dickerson - News and Opinion Editor
No-Shave November and Movember are organizations that spread awareness for prostate cancer through an annual movement involving growing facial hair. Throughout November, people are encouraged to put down the razor, raise funds, get health check-ups, and discuss issues affecting men’s health.
The No-Shave November initiative was started in 2009 by a Chicago-based family whose father passed away from colon cancer. Its main goal is to spread awareness by growing facial hair. Participants are urged to forego shaving and donate the money they would usually spend on shaving products to the No-Shave November fundraising page. The campaign has raised over twelve million dollars for their cancer awareness initiatives.
Movember is another organization that raises money for men’s health initiatives. It began in Australia in 2003. It has a similar purpose to No-Shave November, but a different execution. Participants instead grow mustaches and fund men’s health projects. Movember started with just 30 participants and has grown over the years to more than six million contributors. In 2022, over one thousand men’s health projects were being funded through the campaign.
Facts/Statistics from the American Cancer Society:
- In 2024, 299,010 new prostate cancer cases were discovered
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lives
- 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men older than 65
- 1 in 44 will die from prostate cancer
- The prostate cancer death rate has declined in recent years due to earlier detection and treatment advances