You read that right. Beards play a significant role in the betterment of men’s health. Even more so now that we have entered November!
The eleventh month of the Roman calendar might mean a lot more to men than you would think. Why? It’s the month where you would see a lot of men with untrimmed facial hair, some even sporting magnificent beards and stylish moustaches. This is all part of Movember, a movement where men would grow their facial hair throughout November, then shave it all off.
The Movember Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to create awareness on men’s health that are often left in the dark; such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and man’s suicide. The movement receives donations from various people and participants all around the world. This foundation has a straightforward plan of attack, from early detection to diagnosis, treatment and support from the donations accumulated as well.
Founders of Movember, Adam Garone (left) and his brother, Travis Garone (right)
In 2003, Adam Garone, his brother, Travis Garone and his mate, Luke Slattery met up for a quiet beer in Melbourne, Australia. The idea of Movember sparked as they first dared each other to bring back one old-fashioned 70’s style which is the moustache. Thirty guys including Garone took up the challenge that year. It got them thinking – masculinity has always been about manhood, refusing to touch on tender and ego-crumbling topics, so what is the male equivalent of women’s breast cancer?
Well, the rest is history; now the movement has been powered by the masses, “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” who have pledged to grow moustaches or support the men that do and, most importantly, fundraise online for Movember during the month of November. What started among friends has grown into a full-fledged NGO foundation with over 5 million participants worldwide and raised more than $650 million dollars to fund research and support men’s health issues.
Besides that, since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has run Movember events to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues in Australia and New Zealand. Soon in 2007, events were launched from all over the world from Ireland, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Israel, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Founder Adam Garone started his journey from being a member of the Special Forces in the Australian Army to leading a global charity. He has built Movember into one of the most innovative and impactful social enterprises created this millennium. If you wish to contribute to the movement but not having the moolah to do so, you can always grow a beard and that too can raise awareness on its own!
Movember’s sole purpose is to help raise funds and drive awareness of men’s health issues eventually brought mass attention today, and men who once were clamped up on these issues because they’re embarrassing and unmanly, are now opening up their own stories and concerns. So don’t be alarmed if you start noticing a sea of men sporting a bush on their faces or fussily documenting every centimetre of hair growth, embrace the movement and cheer them on instead!
The Movember Logo
For more information on how to donate, please visit The Movember Foundation website.