Before you tell us we’ve misspelled November, think again. Movember, a charity
event held during November each year, raises money for the prostate cancer and other men’s health issues. Movember participants, one of whom is SLAMonline’s own Kevin Owens, grow and groom their mustache (a.k.a. Mo) to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Movember’s aim is “to change the face of men’s health.”
Kevin and some fellow pro ballers are growing their ‘staches to benefit the Jimmy V Foundation, which has raised over $100 million for cancer research over the years. Check Kevin’s fundraising website to support his crew this month.
And now, a word from Mr. Godunk himself: “I always appreciated the Movember concept. When I was in Australia, our entire team grew a mustache to raise money for charity. Not only did I enjoy my new friend on my upper lip, but I was able to raise awareness for prostate cancer… all while looking like a young Cap’n Crunch. This year I decided to donate all the proceeds raised to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer. The foundation seeks to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of the war against cancer. The V Foundation performs these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising, and philanthropy. Its motto, taken from the organizations namesake the legendary and inspirational Jim Valvano, is ‘Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.’
“The rules of this contest are simple. Each competitor has been growing their facial hair over the past week. I have allowed the facial hair to be in whatever form they would like. Obviously the crazier the better. What I ask from you, is to sponsor one of our ‘growers.’ It does not need to be a lot of money… a quarter a day, a dollar a day, etc. When you sponsor a grower you not only support this incredible organization, but you will make them feel guilty about shaving just because ‘society’ deems it inappropriate. I have enlisted the help of several friends and players I have stayed in touch with over the years. Every few days we will be posting an updated picture of their facial hair with a voting poll up so you can vote for your favorite ‘stache. We are starting with only five participants; however, I am hoping that the number will grow as the days and weeks of ‘Movember’ pass. For anyone who is on the fence about being one of our contestants just remember; When Tom Selleck first grew a mustache, people probably told him he looked ridiculous…and now he is an American Icon.”
