November is the month of chilly temperatures, stuffed turkey and hairy men. Although some people use this month as an excuse to ditch the razor and save a couple dollars, the heart of the movement has a deeper, significant meaning. Men and women alike celebrate No-Shave November, or Movember, to spread awareness and raise funds for cancer -- primarily cancers that affect males.

Men embrace their growing mustaches and beards to celebrate their health and consider those who lose their hair to cancer. If you participate in the movement, you are supposed to donate any money you would spend on shaving/grooming products to cancer research, patients and organizations. Ready to participate? Toss your razor and shaving cream -- it’s time to embrace your hair and raise money for an important cause.

1. The cause

Throughout the month of November, the funds raised go towards men’s health efforts. Specific areas include prostate cancer, mental health and suicide awareness, testicular cancer and overall men’s health and wellness. An estimated over 8,000 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year, and an estimated over 26,000 men will die from prostate cancer in 2017. These issues affect large groups of men in the world -- your beard is more than a fashion statement.

2. The movement

The Movember Foundation is one of many non-profit organizations that raise awareness for men’s health issues. It partners with various organizations and nonprofits to raise awareness for cancer in November. Some of their programs, like “Make Your Move” and “Host an Event,” encourage men and women to join the movement through challenges and celebrations.

As of this year, 20 countries and over 5 million people have participated in the event since its humble beginnings in 2003. The effect of Movember has impacted well over 5 million people, and the numbers continue to grow as social media becomes the primary platform for raising awareness. Last year’s Movember event raised $60 million for men’s health projects and cancer awareness, and #Movember spread throughout the web.

3. Mustaches and beards

“Grow a mo, save a bro,” the organization’s website proclaims. Participants can choose to sign up as a part of the movement to become a “mo” or “mo sista,” or go rogue and share on their own. After participating, it’s time to grow the ‘stache! Men let their follicles flow and embrace their hair and health for 30 days.

4. Time to ‘gram

Social media is extremely powerful, so use it to your advantage [and rock your new, sick beard]. Movember's social accounts connect with volunteers, companies and organizations to raise funds for their mission. From Fossil to Pressed Juicery, the nonprofit collaborates with successful companies people care about, and participants can see the work first-hand. Posting on Insta? Here are some hashtags to share: #Movember, #MoBro and #GrowaMo.

5. On-campus effort

Movember runs specific challenges for work environments, places and social groups. The “Big Moustache on Campus” challenge involves over 25 teams and over 300 members as of Nov. 1st. Students can also track their “move” distance miles of running, walking or cycling with other universities to raise money and awareness. Students can also spread the movement by wearing “Let it Grow” shirts and Movember beanies.

Ditch the razor and get involved this Movember #GrowaMo.