It all started when I was feeling a little toasty and told one of my guy friends how I wished I could take off my jacket. Why couldn't I? A couple of my roommates and I thought it was a great idea to participate in No-Shave November: Armpit Edition. I wasn't exactly brave enough to show off my progress to the world. After expressing his disgust, my friend asked me if I knew what No-Shave November was really about. I was confused.
There was a purpose behind something as silly as No-Shave November? It only took a simple Google search to find out the truth: "No-Shave November: A Unique Way to Grow Cancer Awareness."
My reaction.
Image courtesy of Jeff Kravitz, FilmMagic.
I must point out that Miley's armpit hair is on point in this photo, and I was feeling nearly as confident as she. My hairy pits had a purpose! And a good one! I was excited that participating in No-Shave November meant I was participating in a movement to raise awareness for cancer, but it was when I read further that I realized the next step I needed to take.
Image courtesy of no-shave.org.
According to their website, the No-Shave November movement is more than just a movement to grow cancer awareness, it's also a movement to raise money for cancer. While the web-based organization encourages people to use their hair growth to spark conversation about the movement, they also encourage participants to take the money they would normally spend on hair maintenance expenses and donate it to the cause.
For the 2015 "No-Shave" season, the organization is partnering with the American Cancer Society, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At least 80 prcent of all money raised will be going directly to organizations to fight cancer.
Image courtesy of no-shave.org.
As many know, No-Shave November has been a trend for quite some time, but it wasn't until 2009 that a family decided to adopt the movement as a means to raise money for charity. The eight children of the Hill family lost their father to colon cancer in November 2007, and this was their way to give back. The website shares their story:
Every November for the past six years, these No-Shavers have donated the cost of grooming (from a few dollars on razors to $100 on a salon visit) and helped our organization raise over $2 million dollars to date. As a family run, web-based organization, No-Shave November has grown exponentially since 2009. Our goal is to keep raising money for cancer prevention, education, and research and to let that hair grow in the process! We want every participant to embrace their hair for the many cancer patients that lose theirs due to vigorous treatments. We believe that together, anything is possible, and we’ll get closer to eradicating cancer one whisker at a time!
So, my hairy friends, I challenge you to go beyond the fun of not shaving for 30 days and actually consider financially giving to this noble fight against cancer. Even if you're like me and have no idea how much you typically spend on hair maintenance, try giving just $10 or $20.
If everyone who participates in No-Shave November actually donated, it would be amazing how big of an impact we could make.
