For some, November is the unofficial start of winter, when the temperature drops and the frenzy of the holiday season begins.
But in recent years, November has taken on a new life and a new name as men around the world use their facial follicles to raise awareness about prostate cancer.
Movember began as a simple tradition in Melbourne, Australia, before sprouting to millions of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the globe. Last year, almost 119,000 Canadian supporters raised $22.3 million through sponsorship solicitation and from the proceeds of fundraising events - usually Movember gala parties.
"Last year, Movember became a truly global movement," said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember, in a press release. "With 25,500 new cases of prostate cancer expected this year, the need for new collaborative research is more urgent than ever."
According to Prostate Cancer Canada, one in seven men will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime, making it the most common cancer to affect Canadian men. More than 90 per cent of prostate cancer cases are curable if detected and treated early.
This year, in Prince George, there is no shortage of of men who are sacrificing their faces as billboards for the cause this month.
One group of people can be found at Harley Davidson of Prince George. The store's employees and members of the local Harley Owners Group chapter have registered a team with the campaign's website, www.movember.com. They are also donating partial proceeds from the sale of special Movember t-shirts to the cause.
Store owner Len Hall shaved his off his moustache for the first time in more than 25 years for the cause. "I've always had a moustache since high school," he said.
When asked how it felt to have his face bare, Hall said "cold, weird and sensitive."
But despite the strange sensations that come with going whiskerless, Hall said it's worth it for the cause.
"In today's world, we can't think about ourselves when people like myself are in a position to help other people," he said.
