Over the last few years, you may have noticed that when November rolls around, men you know and some you don’t know, start to look a bit, let’s say, hairier—specifically in the upper-lip region. Why? It’s probably because they’re participating in the mustache movement: Growing out their facial hair from the first of the month for the Movember Foundation and raising awareness for men’s health, including issues such as prostate cancer, testicular
cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.
According to the Movember Foundation, men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average four and a half years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons. Since 2003, millions of people have joined the foundation’s efforts to raise more than $650 million to fund over 1,000 health programs. The Movember Foundation is run by a passionate group of individuals, many of whom have been personally touched by men’s health issues and were inspired to do something about it.
It all began in Melbourne, Australia, when two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, were enjoying a beer at the Gypsy Bar in their hometown when their conversation turned to recurring fashion trends. The conversation turned to the mustache, once a fixture in past decades, mysteriously disappeared without a trace. They joked about bringing it back.
Travis and Luke decided to talk their mates into bringing the mustache back and started a campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer. They designed the rules of Movember (which are still in place today) and agreed to charge ten dollars to grow a “Mo.” They rounded up 30 men willing to take the challenge and the rest is history!
Since those first few years, Movember has continued to grow at an extraordinary pace. There are now official campaigns in 21 countries, and they have raised more than $450 million to fund over 1,000 men’s health programs. Movember’s focus has expanded to four key men’s health issues: pros-
tate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. The Movember Movement has seen the growth of millions of mustaches, significant breakthroughs in scientific research and a monumental shift in the conversation around men’s health.
Our very own Newtown Township Police Department has been participating in Movember for the past few years. During the month of November, several of our officers participate in “No Shave November” fundraising events. Officers who opt not to grow a little fuzz also raise funds and contribute to the fundraiser.
The department collectively chooses an organization to benefit from its efforts. “The last recipient of the Newtown Township Police Department no shave November fundraising event was Adopt a Cop Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ),” explained Captain John Newell. “It’s a nonprofit, donation-based program and registered 501(c)3 that allows active duty patrolling police officers around the country to train at any Adopt A Cop BJJ affiliated academy and will pay 100% of the officer’s membership until they reach the rank of Blue belt.” Blue belt is the second-ranked belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and on average, it takes around 12 to 18 months to obtain.
Captain Newell said that when officers have Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, it gives them the skills and confidence they need to get a violent or what could be a violent situation under control while minimizing the risk of injury to officers and the suspect they are taking into custody.
Want to get involved but can’t grow the “Mo”?
There are a number of ways for you to participate! The folks at the Movember Foundation suggest the following ways to raise money
and awareness:
Move for Mental Health – Run or walk 60 miles over the month. That’s 60 miles for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world.
Host a Movember Party – Get your favorite people around for a good time – and a good cause.
Do Movember Your Way – You call the shots. Bring your fundraising vision to life, and if you think it helps men’s health, the Movember Foundation is 100% behind you.
Are you in? If so, be sure to send us a photo of your Movember Mustache and tell us how you helped raise money and awareness for this very important cause. Send your story and your photos to STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com. For more information on the Movember Foundation and to sign up to participate, visit their website, US.Movember.com.
Let’s Grow the Mo!