Hulk Hogan, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Steve Harvey have one thing in common — world-renowned mustaches.
If a friend or classmate recently started growing a mustache, he could be doing so in an effort to promote men’s health.
In 2012, studio art junior and president of Omega Delta Phi Jose Mendez became an advocate for the national Movember Foundation campaign for prostate cancer.
The campaign, which began in Australia, is now recognized globally.
Participating in the fundraiser involves a monthlong commitment to growing a mustache. The facial hair is intended to spark conversation and ultimately raise awareness for prostate cancer.
“Once people notice that you have been growing this crazy mustache, they will begin to wonder why, and from there you can give them more information about the campaign and how they can get involved,” Mendez said.
This is not the typical buy-a-cookie-to-support-a-cause fundraiser, Mendez said. The participants also get to take part in a new form of self-expression.
“People do all kinds of things with their mustaches. I think (growing the mustaches) gives the campaign a little twist,” Mendez said.
One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and one in 36 men will die from prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society website.
College Engagement Manager of the Movember Foundation Doug Prusoff said he found the statistics to be surprising and decided to get involved with the cause.
“There is definitely a fun factor to this campaign. I mean, a lot of college guys would love to grow a mustache — so why not grow one to support a cause?” Prusoff said.
Aside from raising money for groundbreaking research, this campaign is intended to educate men. Prusoff said he believes that the campaign, with its large following, can help men be more aware of their health.
“Men don’t talk about men’s health. Men don’t think about men’s health. It’s time for guys to get more serious about men’s health,” Prusoff said.
Many men believe testing is not important if they don’t have a family history of prostate cancer. Although it is true that family history increases a man’s chances of being diagnosed, testing is still recommended.
The likelihood of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases with age. More than 65 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Although it is unlikely for men under 40 to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, men can maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to decrease their chance of being diagnosed as they age.
In addition to raising awareness for prostate cancer, the campaign was created to show men who are diagnosed that they are not alone.
“These men are not alone in this process, and there are people (who) want to help spread the word,” Mendez said.
Mendez and his fraternity brothers will be hosting a Movember Charity Bar Crawl at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 to support the fundraiser.
All proceeds, including the $20 registration fee, will be given to the Movember campaign.
“A lot of this comes down to men wanting to be the stereotypical man that society wants them to be. What they fail to realize is being a man includes being healthy enough to be there and take care of your family,” Prusoff said.
