MU has seen an increase in students sporting mustaches and beards for “No-Shave” November. Throughout the month, mustaches act as walking billboards representing Mizzou for Movember.
“The mustache is sort of like our ‘pink ribbon’ for men’s health,” Mizzou for Movember founder Erik Howell said.
Movember is a worldwide campaign that supports the research of cancers that affect men. It was founded in Australia in 2003 and has grown to include about 1.1 million participants, called “Mo Bros.” The United States campaign alone raised $7.5 million for the Livestrong Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation in 2010, and for the second consecutive year, the University of Missouri’s Movember campaign is doing its part to raise money and awareness.
“I think this campaign is important because without it, many young men wouldn’t even think about the chances of getting testicular cancer,” Mizzou for Movember participant Matt Grover said. “I want my mustache to start a conversation.”
Mizzou for Movember was recognized as a student organization last year. The Interfraternity Council and the Missouri Students Association gave $1,000 last year to support the campaign, which raised about $15,000 by the end of the semester through its fundraising activities. This year, 11 student organizations are involved, including several fraternities and two sororities: Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Theta. Phi Kappa Theta fraternity selected the Movember Foundation as one of its philanthropy projects.
"Phi Kappa Theta taking on Movember as a philanthropy is such a great way to expose these men to the realness of the cause," Mizzou for Movember director Anna Pleus said. "Exposing them to why Movember exists will, hopefully, remind them to stay healthy and get checked themselves. Student organization involvement fuels Movember here at Mizzou."
Howell, a senior Health Science major, said his best friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 19.
“It was an eye-opening time in my life and I knew I had to do something,” Howell said.
Testicular cancer is one of the most easily cured cancers but early detection is important, according to the American Cancer Society.
“You never know when it’s going to sneak up on you,” Howell said.
Howell oversees the campaign and seeks out sponsors. He said key aspects of this year’s campaign would include several parties throughout the month, including a kick-off party at Bengal’s Bar and Grill as well as profit-share events with Shakespeare’s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. The campaign will end on Nov. 30, 2011 with a “Gala Parté” at Bengal’s. Mizzou for Movember Head Director of Public Relations Jordin Ruthstein said the kick-off party at Bengal’s raised $700 from cover charge profits and “Mo Bomb” drink specials. However, Howell said T-shirt sales are typically the biggest fundraiser.
“We've targeted local businesses to also help get the word out," Howell said. "We've asked for donations from businesses and the donations will be involved in our silent auction at the Gala Parté at Bengal’s."
The Gala Parté concludes with the King and Queen of Movember competition. Judgment criteria includes participation in a banner competition and merchandise sales, signing up on Movember's national website and attending events, in addition to the most impressive mustache grown by a male participant.
“Since prostate and testicular cancer is so abundant, we see a ton of support from the local community," Howell said. "Most hear of our events and attend because they know of someone who battled cancer."
A man's lifetime chance of having testicular cancer is about 1 in 270, according to the American Cancer Society . The more dangerous prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite statistics that show how common these cancers are, Movember advocates feel that the public does not get enough information about men’s health.
“Everybody knows somebody who’s had testicular or prostate cancer, but they don’t really think about it,” Howell said. “We need to raise money for it.”
Early stages of mustache growth can be awkward, but Ruthstein called this “getting creepy for a cause,” and said it shouldn’t deter prospective mustache growers.
“People don’t see a mustache and think, ‘That’s creepy’ anymore," Howell said. "Instead, they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s Movember.'"
Story by Chris Roll
Story by Chris Roll
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