No Shave November is more than just not shaving.  The time honored tradition is actually used for raising awareness for cancer.

Starting October 31, many people across the world shave for one last time for an entire month. The participants start November 1 and go all the way to the end of the month growing what facial hair they can. This brings excitement and dedication to those who participate in order to bring awareness to prostate and testicular cancer.

Some men who normally shave every day grow what they can. A lot of the time they make it a contest with their significant other. Here we are able to see who can actually grow a full beard or becomes more like Joe Dirt with patches of hair as far between as the oceans. Even women participate by not shaving their legs, armpits, and so on.

No Shave November may have started as Movember in 2004 in Australia. A group of men started to grow their mustaches and sideburns in order to raise money and awareness for the cancer patients who lose their hair during treatment. The money that is saved from not shaving is donated to organizations around the world for cancer research and funding.

Oddly enough, the concept of No-Shave November can be found back in ancient Greece. Young men spent roughly 30 days growing their beards in order to be more like the gods of the past.

What many are forgetting is that No-Shave November is not just about who can grow the best beard, but to actually bring the awareness and money to those in need. Social media erupts in many people participating without knowing what it is all about. This is why we need to bring it back the awareness.

The American Cancer Society allows you to donate year round, but has special programs for participants in No-Shave November can start their own personal fundraiser.

Recently, Decatur police department is participating in No-Shave November to show support for one of their officers, Joshua Driggers, who is recovering from surgery after getting a brain tumor removed.

In a video interview with WHNT 19 News, Lt. John Crouch talked about their relaxed policy of shaving. “Policy states that officers can have mustaches, but that’s it; and there are even very strict guidelines for that. For November, the chief has suspended our policy on facial hair and most of us are electing to grow beards,” said Crouch. “We are making a donation to the Driggers family to participate, and so far, almost every officer in the department is participating; even those who choose not to grow a beard are still making the donations.”

When you see a person participating in No-Shave November, thank them. These cancers have affected millions around the world. Don’t forget to make your donations either. Don’t worry ladies, you will have your men back to baby skin smooth face come December 1.