The Movember men’s health campaign will inflict ill-advised but charitable mustaches on Reno for the third time this November.
Taking place each year during the month of November, Movember’s goal is to raise money and awareness for men’s health issues — particularly prostate and testicular cancer.
The City of Remo group had 15 members last year participate. Their gambit? Grow a mustache (or “Mo”). Everyone is encouraged to start clean-shaven on Nov. 1 and then lovingly groom some stellar facial hair on their upper lips throughout the month.
There are facetious rules about not growing beards or goatees or other facial varieties, but the bottom line is that the change will spark questions.
Either someone clean-shaven will grow a mustache or someone who’s enjoyed facial hair will suddenly start from scratch, and both should catch the attention of those around them. It's much like the pink ribbons used in breast cancer awareness.
Mustache questions can be the starting points for conversations about men’s health. And, awed by their majestic mustaches, friends, family and coworkers will hopefully be moved to support the cause.
The City of Remo has 28 people signed up so far for 2009, and the event is open to both men and women (the latter thankfully dawn fake mustaches rather than grow the real thing).
To sign up as part of the City of Remo team, visit http://us.movember.com/mospace/1745/. Follow them on Twitter @RemoNV.
The local fundraising goal is $5,000, which all goes to the Movember foundation, which in turn provides funds to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Movember started in Australia in 2003 and now involves men and women from the U.S., Canada and Europe. In 2008, more than a million dollars was raised in the U.S. through Movember.
Sponsors:
- Eclipse Pizza hosted the kick-off, other events and doantes $1 from every Mustache Ride specialty pizza sold.
- Biggest Little City Club has pledged to donate a portion of their entire November business to Movember. And $1 from every renamed "Lip hair of the dog" goes to Movember.
- Ole Bridge Pub offers drink specials to anyone who mentions Movember
- Sierra Tap House's Annual Stache Bash is partnering with Movember for a month-end party.
Upcoming Movember events:
