November is a month that is well known for Thanksgiving, but what most people do not know is that November is also a month of awareness for men’s health, commonly known as Movember or No-Shave November. This event raises awareness for various illnesses that affect men in order to lower the male mortality rate.

“The significance is to raise awareness for prostate cancer,” Principal John Pehrson, a participant of No-Shave November, said.

During Movember, men grow their facial hair throughout the whole month in order to express their solidarity with the awareness and importance of men’s health.

“When I grow [my facial hair] out, people are always asking what’s going on, and it’s an opportunity for me to talk about why there’s Movember!” Assistant Principal Kris Linville said.

This annual event is practical because the event’s only requirement is for men to not shave. Men’s health is something that is not commonly focused on in education, and this annual event is crucial to its awareness.

On average, men die six years earlier than women, according to the Official Movember Foundation, an organization that brings awareness for prostate cancer and testicular cancer to raise money for research for a cure. They aim to fix the statistic that men die earlier than women by improving men’s health, both physical and mental health.

Participating in Movember is a very effective way to stir up discussion about men’s health, and it is very easy to participate. All you have to do is grow out your facial hair, and in doing so, you may end up contributing to the saving of men’s lives.