As a guy, I can tell you that there might not be any better month in the year than November—ahem, or should I say, Movember? Although it’s still a few weeks away, Movember is dedicated to raising money and changing the faces of men’s health—quite literally—has become a growing phenomenon over the past decade or so, with 20 men creating the campaign back in 2003, and raising over $559 million since. It has funded 770 men’s health projects in the same time period, with over 20 countries participating towards the cause. It has even grown so big as to being awarded the Social Force of the Year Award winner from GQ Magazine, showing that guy’s love growing their mustaches more than one would originally think.
Beginning in Melbourne, Australia, the campaign has grown to over four million strong since the launch 11 years ago. So how did it get so big? I looked into some key numbers and figured out just why so many guys enjoy tossing their razors out for a month to enjoy a furry upper lip—much to the chagrin of their loved ones, many times. For that reason, here are eight reasons why Movember has become one of the largest community campaigns on the planet.
8. Handlebar or fu Manchu?
Considering these are just a few of the stylistic options for men to choose while growing their facial hair out, you can bet that it’s a reason the campaign has grown so much. As a guy who has had both varieties himself, I can tell you that, just the thought of, growing one of these two mustaches makes a man excited. Knowing that everyone who surrounds us for the month of November will be weirded out without knowing why I’m doing it is an even more delightful reason to grow one.
7. Global Research
Cancer is a disease that has, unfortunately, impacted every single person around the world. And while there still may not be an absolute cure for it, Movember actually has gone a long way in helping lead research—specifically in prostate and testicular cancer for men. Receiving millions of dollars each year for guys to simply grow their facial hair and gather sponsors and donations for it is a major reason in which this campaign continues to grow—just as fast as the whiskers on the men’s faces who participates do.
6. It’s Just One Month
This is both a good and bad thing for the Movember campaign. While some look at the month as a reason to let themselves go and partake in the campaign, it’s also a reminder that there are still 11 other months in the year that don’t get as much or any recognition for the research of men-specific cancer like prostate and testicular. Sure, the over $559 million raised is a tremendous effort—and one that should be applauded by all those who helped raise that money—but when Movember ends, most people don’t bat an eye at doing more to raise awareness. That’s something that, hopefully, will continue to change as this campaign goes on.
5. It’s a Competition
It’s human nature to be competitive with certain things, so it’s not hard to see what makes Movember so popular. While some guys aren’t blessed with facial hair that can produce an epic mustache, that doesn’t stop them from at least trying to grow something that they can help raise funds with. On the flip side, even though another guy has a very good mustache to show-off, unless he’s out there campaigning and making note of how people can get involved, it’s really worthless other than just a few laughs amongst friends and colleagues. Much like fundraisers we all did while growing up, Movember is a unique one that pits every man’s mustache against one another.
4. No Beards Allowed
OK, so should a guy want to grow his beard to help raise money for cancer, he probably won’t catch too much grief for doing so. However, the general consensus is that the mustache reigns supreme during the month of November. That means that, yes, it’s a lot more work to maintain and try to keep proper, for fear that it doesn’t get too out of control. For that reason, it has become a somewhat of a rallying cry for me to do, because, well, as a guy, anyone can grow a spotty beard. But it takes a serious effort to pull of a mustache that’s worthy of a complement.
3. It’s The Men’s Version of the Pink Ribbon
Seeing how it’s October—which is dedicated towards breast cancer awareness, hence all the pink ribbons and events which are to help raise funds for the disease—men wanted and needed their own campaign to help educate and empower the major diseases that have effected them. There are a number of great causes out there that bring people together and unite a community to help fight cancer, and Movember is one of the unique ways in which men can rally around and do it together. Think of it as a facial fraternity for guys everywhere, allowing us to “whisk” away cancer for 30 days.
2. It Has Become a Real Business
When one of the founding members of the Movember campaign first began the project, he was working in the marketing department of a web company, using the weekend’s to help promote and build awareness of his side job. Seeing that it got too big to ignore and work on just part-time, he looked for sponsorships to help grow the campaign. With a little help from Fosters—the popular beer in Australia where the project first began—he was able to quite his day job and employ over 90 people in six offices around the globe.
1. It’s for a Good Cause
As I’ve mentioned throughout this piece, the number one reason anyone does anything when donating money is because it’s something that they believe in. Sure, there aren’t too many people who believe that the look of a full grown mustache is always the best thing available, but knowing that guys get to have fun and wives and girlfriends are OK enough to allow their men to do such a thing is pretty darn cool. When you get to bring friends, family and co-workers together to show support for something meaningful, that will always get a positive reaction.
Image via Getty
