what is movember? and what’s with the all the hairy faces?
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movember promotes regular health check-ups, self-exams, and education so men can take action before it’s too late.
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if you’re wondering what’s with all the increasingly furry faces, then one quick glance at a calendar should tell you that it’s november—and movember.
it’s the month where men put down their razors and commit to growing a moustache for a good cause.
the movement is meant to raise awareness—and funds—for men’s health, from mental illness to prostate and testicular cancers.
the goal is simple: to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.
how movember started
it began in 2003, when two friends from australia (travis garone and luke slattery) talked their mates into growing a moustache (or “mo,” on the movember website) inspired by a pal’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer.
they designed the rules of movember, which still remain and are listed below, and agreed to charge $10 to grow a mo.
they found 30 guys to take part in the challenge and the following year, the founders partnered with the prostate cancer foundation of australia for the first official movember campaign and raised $54,000 for prostate cancer research and awareness.
more than two decades later, the movember foundation has inspired support from more than five million men and women around the world.
movember goals
the month is all about focusing on the significant challenges men face regarding their health, through awareness, research, and support.
the founders’ hope that with every moustache grown and dollar donated, a conversation is started that can make all the difference.
there is often a stigma surrounding men’s health—physical and mental—and movember aims to show men that speaking openly about it is ok.
movember promotes regular health check-ups, self-exams, and education so men can take action before it’s too late.
it also encourages action such as cancer screenings where early detection can make a world of difference.
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reducing suicide rates is another big focus, as movember advocates for better access to mental health care through the funding of programs and creating campaigns that reduce the stigma around seeking help.
how can women help?
sign up at movember.com as a team captain or join an existing team.
you can also host a movember-themed event, or start fundraising and inspire people to donate.
take to social media to spread the word on facts about men’s health and where to find mental health support.
and always encourage the men in your life to take their health seriously and go for regular check-ups or talk to someone if you know they are struggling.
movember rules
unlike fight club, the opposite is true as the whole point is to talk all you want about movember and grow away—but only after you register on movember.com and kick off the month with a clean-shaven face.
every mo bro must grow and groom a ‘stache—and no faking it. beards and goatees don’t count and fake moustaches are definite no-nos.
the moustache is meant to serve as a conversation started and fundraiser for men’s health.
and the fifth rule should last all 365 days every year: “each mo bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman.”
this article was originally published in the toronto sun on november 3, 2025.
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