What is Movember?

Every November, guys across the globe commit to growing a moustache, starting clean‑shaven on November 1 and letting the “mo” ride for the month. It’s more than facial hair: it’s a conversation starter. The movement grew out of Australia in 2003 and has spread worldwide to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health/suicide prevention. 

Why men’s health and why now?

Look: the stats are brutal. Men often die younger, get sick more, and don’t speak up. For example the charity behind Movember says men will die 4.9 years earlier on average than women and many of those deaths are preventable. 
Here’s what Movember is tackling:

• Prostate cancer. Big issue for men. Regular check‑ups help.

• Testicular cancer. Younger men get hit here. Knowing the signs matters. 

• Mental health and suicide prevention. Men keep their problems to themselves. Movember wants to break that. 

• Physical inactivity and poor lifestyle choices. Movember highlights these too, because they drive lots of issues. 

So if you’re a guy reading this: this isn’t “some charity thing”. It’s about getting real about your health while you still have time.

How easy is it to get involved? Spoiler: very.

Here’s a simple 3‑step plan:

1. Register. Go to the official Movember site, sign up as a “Mo Bro” (or supporter). Pick your approach: grow a moustache, run/walk for men’s health, or host a fundraiser. 

2. Grow the moustache (or pick your move). On November 1 shave clean. Then over the month let that mo grow. Use it to spark questions: “Why are you growing that?” boom, there’s your opening to talk health.

3. Share & raise. Ask friends/family to donate. Use social media. Tell your story. Every little bit helps.

Bonus: if moustache isn’t your thing, there are other ways like moving physical activity (walking, running) to raise awareness. 

Why your participation matters

Because doing nothing is losing. You could ignore it, hope nothing happens and you might be okay. Or you could step up and make this one simple statement: “I care.”

• You might prompt a brother, a dad, a friend to go get checked.

• You might open up about your own mental health.

• You might raise funds so researchers can push harder on these issues.
  And if for no other reason: the moustache is a damn good symbol. It’s visible, it gets talked about. That’s the whole point. 

So yeah. This November: clean razor now. Start fresh. Let the mo grow. Let it stand for something. Let it force the conversation.
You’ll feel like you did something. You’ll be part of other guys who gave a damn. Life’s short. Health doesn’t wait.
Grow the mo. Be that man. Let other guys know you’re in the trenches with them.