Put Down the Razors, It’s November

By Jacob Benard

Contributing Writer

Once Halloween is past, though, and November takes its place many need something new to get excited about. Though some jump ahead to Christmas, others begin to bask in a different seasonal occasion.

No-Shave November has hit campus, bringing with it not only many scruffy faces, but also awareness for prostate cancer and fundraising opportunities.

The idea of No-Shave November began 2004 when 30 Australian men grew out their facial hair to raise awareness for prostate cancer.

According to no-shave.org, the official website for No-Shave November, “The goal of No-Shave November is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free.”

“The rules of No-Shave November are simple: put down your razor for 30 days and donate your monthly hair-maintenance expenses to the cause,” explains the website.

Alternatively, participants can celebrate Movember, a version in which individuals focus primarily on the growth of their mustaches and may shave the rest of their faces.

For female participants, the organization recommends, “letting those legs go natural, and skipping that waxing appointment.”

ESU’s Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is encouraging students to participate in No-Shave November by holding their own competition on campus.

For a fee of $5, participants can compete to win a $50 Wawa gift card.

Upon registration, a “before” picture will be taken of each participant.

Participants will be required to report back to the Union between Nov. 23 and 24 to pose for an “after” picture for comparison.

The winner will be announced on Dec. 3 during the CAC meeting at 3 p.m. and all funds raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“It helps with gas money for the vans the ACS use to get patient to and from their Chemotherapy treatments and wigs if they lost their hair, among many other resources,” explains CAC president Samantha Giancaterino.

Today is the final day to register, so if you would like to participate make your way over to the union with a clean-shaven face and $5 before 3 p.m.

“I like the idea of it,” says sophomore Daniel Daveggia. “It’s a really cool way to raise awareness [for] prostate cancer.”

For junior Steven Soriano, No-Shave November has become an important part of the year.

Soriano began participating in high school as soon as he was able to grow facial hair.

“I’m doing it for a cause,” says Soriano. “I’m doing it for cancer patients who can’t grow hair.”

Email Jacob at: jbenard@live.esu.edu