A Growing Issue
By Sam Katz
In a world without substantial mens health awareness, No Shave November is working to break the silence.
Testicular and Prostate Cancer are as prevalent as ever within the male community, and the best way to break the startling silence on the issue is by growing what men grow best, facial hair. That's why throughout the month of November you may notice upper school male students and teachers walking around Providence Day School with some pretty ugly things on their faces–that's right, beards.
....the best way to break the startling silence on the issue is by growing what men grow best, facial hair.
So why November? Back in 2003, an organization known as the Movember Foundation began a fund for men's cancer; the foundation challenged their small fanbase to not shave throughout the month, while also working to raise money for men's health. Over the years, the Movember Foundation has exploded into an international sensation.
Men’s cancer and health issues are a lot more serious than most people think. Each hour, 35 men will die from Prostate Cancer, that is a staggering amount. For men under the age of 40, Testicular Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. The Movember Foundation believes that they will be able to halve the amount of Testicular Cancer related deaths by the year 2030. With donations and awareness campaigns, they feel that they can make the difference.
All around the world, people are growing out their facial hair to bring awareness to men’s cancer and mental health, and that is exactly what the student and faculty body at Providence Day will be working to do.
Since 2012, the No Shave November Club at Providence Day School has been working towards bringing awareness to men’s health. Mr. Danny Mehigan, an upper school math teacher, statistics buff, and head advisor to the club, wanted to make a difference in the school community. When he arrived on campus in 2011, Mehigan knew he wanted to get involved in the tight knit community of Providence Day. The question for him was how.
In his first year teaching, Mehigan saw how much attention Breast Cancer Awareness Month got with in the school, but he felt that, “there just wasn't anything equivalent for men.” Mehigan sensed there was almost a hole in the community regarding men’s health, and to him “[this] was a good spot to get involved.”
He wanted to introduce something of similar nature to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but with a direct focus on men's health. That's when he found the Movember Foundation, and the concept of No Shave November. Mehigan was looking for a way to let the community know that men's health was also a big deal, and this was it. In 2012, a year after Mehigan’s arrival, the club No Shave November was born.
The club started out small with just a couple ambitious freshmen boys and girls leading the way, with Mehigan along for the ride. When the clubs first “Movember” came around, Mehigan explains that they “began selling wristbands and t-shirts, but nobody really knew why [our club] did it.” That was the first challenge the club met as a whole. The students were getting excited because they did not have to shave, but no one knew why, and that had to change.
Club Member Ryan Burgoyne showing off his Movember Beard. Photo Courtesy of Ryan Burgoyne
As time went on, Mehigan quotes, “each year we have done a little bit more with raising awareness and raising money.” While selling wristbands and t-shirts was gaining a lot of popularity in school, that was not where they wanted the attention to be directed. The club has worked on trying to get its more serious message across to the student body. By having assemblies on the cause, showing short video clips from the Movember Foundation, and even a male cancer survivor come in and speak, they have opened the door for conversation about men's health. This year, Mehigan and his club really feel like they have hit the right note, and the club is beginning to run full stride. It is only right for the club leaders, who started as freshman and are now entering their senior year to introduce the clubs new “big event.”
Providence Day's No Shave November Logo. Courtesy of Danny Mehigan.
Each hour, 35 men will die from Prostate Cancer.
...there was almost a hole in the community regarding men’s health
The club started out small, just a couple
ambitious freshman boys and girls leading
the way, with Mehigan along for the ride.
This year, the club has partnered with local organizations and men's health activists to put together the first annual Men's Health Luncheon. This November, all senior boys will be invited to the luncheon. Here, a series of speakers and men's cancer survivors will speak about men's health and highlight personal experiences throughout their life. Along with the annual fundraiser, there will be a series of items auctioned off, including an autographed Greg Olson football, to try and boost the money they are able to donate.
In the end, Mehigan says, “We are not trying to raise a million dollars, it's more about starting conversations.” That is what the whole No Shave November idea started out on. Getting people talking about men's health, and working to create a healthier world for men where talking about illness is alright.
“We are not trying to raise a million dollars–
it's more about starting conversations.”
COMMUNITY
The Charger, November 2016
Back to Table of Contents