F E A T U R E S
Photo from: http://la-moustache-rouge.tumblr.com/
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Whiskers for Whiskers
f you’ve seen your male teachers walking around school with ridiculous facial hair, don’t be alarmed. It’s all for a good cause. We all know what November is, but what about Movember? That’s right, it’s time for men all around the world to unite and raise awareness for a good cause; men’s cancer and health research. Movember is what some call NoShave-November. It is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year, during which men refrain from shaving their facial hair for the whole month to raise awareness and funds about men’s health issues. It all started with a group of young men in Adelaide, South Australia. They began the campaign as a small-scale activity just for fun, but the public soon caught wind and was interested and intrigued by these young men growing ‘whiskers for whiskers’. Men grow their whiskers to raise funds for men who lose their own whiskers to cancer. Soon enough, it became somewhat of a phenomenon; something fun and daring for a great cause. It has since raised about $174 million worldwide and continues to be a great success, supported by celebrities, such as rapper Snoop Dogg, reality TV star Brody Jenner and hockey player George Parros.
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Movember
Mr. Dan Bentley is one of the teachers at ISB that has participated in growing his beard out for Movember. He says, “growing a good moustache takes a lot of hard work, but then again, isn’t that case for anything awesome?” Mr. Bentley thinks that Movember “is basically a free ticket to do weird and wonderful things with your facial hair without people calling you a freak. The best part is that, as the movement gathers steam, more and more awareness is being
“It’s time for men all around the world to unite a raise awareness for a good cause; men’s cancer and health research.”
brought to men’s health issues.” Movember gives people a chance to talk freely about certain taboo topics that normally don’t come up in colloquial conversations, but that need to be addressed, in this case, prostate cancer. As Mr. Bentley says, “prostate cancer is often a taboo topic for men to talk about, but with the help of Movember it is becoming less so.”
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Our very own high school principal, Mr. Bradley, is a survivor of prostate cancer. In support of Movember, he reminds us all to educate themselves and their friends about the importance of going to the hospital and getting screened and checked through a PSA test. He stresses early detection, even if there are no symptoms. He himself was lucky because his cancer was caught early and thus he was able to survive it. Science teacher Mr. Rockey also spoke with The International about Movember and the importance of raising awareness and reducing sensitivity of such topics. Having survived prostate cancer as well, he tells us all to be open about such discussions and to not be paralyzed by this taboo or fear of touchy subjects such as men’s health issues. Prostate cancer and other men’s health issues are not uncommon, and if campaigns such as Movember can reduce the sensitivity and taboo of these topics, it can be very treatable. Boys, if you are interested but have not yet started to grow out your whiskers, it isn’t too late! Drop that razor and grow it all out. After all, it’s for a very worthy cause. For more information, visit www.movember.com or follow it on twitter at @Movember. Anjali Menon Photo from: Movember.com