Men die on average about 6 years earlier than women and often times from preventable causes. Many of the conditions that Movember raises awareness about are ones that men are embarrassed to mention to their doctors. Their symptoms go untreated and the worst occurs.
The Story Behind the Movement
Legend has it that Movember was started around 2003 by two friends in Australia. They were having a beer and discussing the fact that the mustache had disappeared from society. You can imagine how that conversation went down. They joked as any drunk duo would about bringing it back. They decided to talk all their friends into growing mustaches during the month of November (and being inspired by a breast cancer fundraiser) decided to raise money for men’s health. From just 30 men when it was launched to over 5,000,000! Each year, the cause has been “growing”! Read the full story here.
This movement started from very humble beginnings in a bar to a massive movement helping men all over the world.
Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.
The Movember Foundation
What can you do?
Now, men, it’s not just an excuse to be lazy and not shave (though we’re all guilty of some stubble every now and again). If you’re going to participate by growing facial hair, try to raise money and get some people to sponsor you.
Sign up HERE for Movember and get involved! You can host a Mo-Ment (an excuse for a party, like you, need an excuse) or challenge your friends at work or in your neighborhood and ask if your company will match the money you raise. The goal is to do something!
Personally, I look ridiculous with just a mustache but being Italian I can grow a beard in under 10 minutes. Being 51 years old (at the time of writing this), my beard is mostly grey so unshaven I appear to be 80 years old. Last year was my first official year participating but this year I hope to raise some money for the cause.
Me during Movember 2018
If you’re a man who needs a good reason to be unshaven for 30 days and is looking for a good cause to support, then give Movember a shot this year. Besides saving on the cost of razors and shaving cream you will be raising awareness for other men who need our help. Please go to the doctor, regardless of how embarrassed you might feel. Doctors have seen and heard everything so nothing you will say or show them will come as a surprise.
Talk with your friends and neighbors and spread the word. Who is willing to join me this year? Let me know in the comments below.
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Movember is such a good cause to get involved with men need to be encouraged to take better care of their health and go to the dr, not just try toughing things out.
Most of the moustaches I see arpound are pretty dodgy though! I think your style with beard too is safest!
It is a great movement and important.
I’m normally not a fan of moustaches and beards but I love the movember movement. It’s so important for raising awareness of men’s health issues.
Okay, so this has always been a riddle to me. Guys have been doing this for literally ages now but isn’t it that maintaining a beard needs more money than getting it trimmed/shaved? Also, a well trimmed bead is good, not a shabby or nasty looking one! Ironically, people who post the Movember pictures are the ones who like definitely invest a lot of time and effort in making that beard look good!
Now I could have asked this on twitter and would have got more attention than answers! And my guy friends are good for nothing. They save money on spend at the salon to donate for men’s health but end up spending more on beard wax and oils ??♀️ I ask you because you seem to be sensible enough to answer that!
I don’t have a beard year round so I can’t comment on beard or mustache wax. I actually find it to be more work than shaving. More if a margin for error with a beard. One slip and you look ridiculous. ?
Love how your posts raise some important health issue most isn’t aware off! This kind of events are really important even more fore men since the rates of men checking on their health is really low if compered to women. Movember is a fun way to raise awareness! I’ll make sure to share this with every men i know since i can’t grow a mustache myself by i can make my husband were one! And it’s pretty easy for him lol his beard grows sooo fast!
I’m hoping you don’t grow a beard Daphne! 🙂 . It is an important cause that many don’t speak about. Thank you for sharing.
There’s a lot out there that many don’t know about, This is one great movement that need to be publicized more to the menfolk.
Thanks for the headsup.
Agreed! Thanks for the comment.
My bf will be participating in Movember this year! He used to have a full beard years ago and that’s making a comeback lol.
Glad to hear it!
I wish you all the best with this. A great cause to get behind and an easy way for men to do so x
I never realized where the movement came from. I have always heard it referred to as “no shave November” around here. I think here in Missouri the guys say it is for hunting season. Wow, this is a bigger deal than I thought. Very cool.