Movember – So that mo may live

Shortcut: JOIN OR DONATE and Thank You.

Collegiate and NFL football games have reminded us all that October is breast cancer awareness month and it is wonderful that so much attention (and money) is being brought to the treatment and cure of breast cancer. Men get cancer as well and as we go into the month of November, it is time to raise awareness and funds for our boys. Movember is when thousands of men (mo-bros) grow out their mustaches in order to raise funds for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer research and treatment. Family and friends, including the ladies (mo-sisters) can support their mo-bros by offering donations and encouragement.

This is my father. No, really, he is an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.

This year, after nearly 20 years with a beard, I am going to alter my visage to bring attention to men’s health. I admit, I cannot bring myself to fully shave my beard (and my children said they will not speak to me if I do, and yet in spite of that I will still not shave it all off). So instead I am going to shave my mustache and go Abe Lincoln!  It is sort of an inverse Movember for me.

This Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm we will have a shaving party in Atherton Hall. I have been encouraged to take this step by a student in our Presidential Leadership Academy, Steve Bookbinder. (Plus, my doc did a prostate exam on me this summer…still walking funny. Now *that* is a reminder to take care of yourself!)

I am asking you to consider supporting our team (the name was chosen by Mr. Bookbinder because he is a butcher and he is doing this in honor and in memory of a great Penn State professor Dr. Chris Raines, “Meat Scientist, Connoisseur of Fine Drink, Gentleman”). You can become a team member to show your support and you can donate to either the team or directly to team members (my Movember page is here). This is the first ever Movember team at Penn State and I hope that our community (including the blogging community!) will help us raise a significant amount for men’s health.

You can find more information about Movember at their website. The basic premise is:

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives.
Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

Be sure to also check out Nick Offerman’s advice on How to Grow a Mustache.

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