Move over October, Movember is here.
For 25 years, breast cancer has been the cause du jour for the 31 days of October. Now men are claiming November for their own cause.
Movember, a movement imported from Australia in 2007, invites men to spend 30 days growing a mustache while sponsors pledge funds to benefit men's health and prostate cancer research.
While it hasn't yet evolved into the massive fundraising effort devoted to women's breast health, organizers hope Movember will eventually have a similar impact on a disease that effects one in six men.
Last year, almost 1,400 participants in Georgia raised $160,905 during Movember. This year the number of participants in the state is expected to double.
It all started when 30 guys down under decided to have a mustache growing contest. They had determined that the mustache ( a "Mo" in Aussie speak) was the one retro styles that somehow never quite make a comeback. Collectively they received so many comments -- good, bad and otherwise -- about their efforts, they decided to use their mustaches for good.
"The mustache was creating so much conversation they thought this may be an opportunity for us, in the same way women were inspired...to get men to talk about their health," said Donny Killian, U.S. country manager for Movember. In 2004, Movember officially became a movement. By 2010, 450,000 participants around the globe helped raise $81 million, Killian said.
Since 2009, Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott has led a team of "Mo Bros" in growing out their 'staches. On his fundraising page, Ott said he participates in memory of his father and all men who have fought prostate cancer. So far this month, the 10 man team has gathered $225 in donations.
Another local participant said he got involved by accident.
"I had not shaved on the first or second of November," said Tray Butler, 36, a writer in Ansley Park. "Then I saw somebody’s Twitter post about Movember which sparked my interest."
It may not be the same as running or walking a 5k as do hundreds of women each year in support of breast cancer, but growing a mustache can take just as much will.
"I don’t grow great facial hair. My facial hair is pretty pathetic. I’m not sure I can make it to the bitter end of the month," said Butler, who has never tried to grow a mustache as an adult.
Still, it's not all pain and suffering. "I hate to shave so much, so it does feel really great," he said.
And he is pleased to be supporting a cause that has affected two members of his family. When Butler announced what he was doing in a Facebook post, two other friends decided to get involved as well.
And that, of course, is how the Movember founders hope it works with men encouraging other men to join in.
Participants can register online by entering a few details. An online community allows Mo Bros to tell their personal stories and share their mustache growing tales. Donors can also go online to make donations to a specific person, team or a general contribution. Proceeds benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research.
Even some women take part in the Movember movement, but most, we are told, leave the mustache growing to the men.
For more information or to join the cause visit: www.movember.com.
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