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SALT LAKE CITY — Friday is the last day of "Movember." No, we haven't misspelled the 11th month of the year. Movember is the fund raising movement that calls for men, worldwide, to grow a mustache, and raise money for charity as a result.
News Specialst Keith McCord didn't participate because he sports a mustache year-round and has for a long time. But he has pictures of those who wanted to become a "Mo Bro".
McCord has had a mustache since about 1975. Originally, he grew it so that he would look older, and now says he's afraid to shave it. He commended the other mustaches that several of the KSL viewers grew as well.
Even some women got in on the act to support the "Movember" Movement, a worldwide campaign to raise money for men's health issues, particularly cancer. Participants began clean shaven on November 1st and then collected pledges along the way.
Alan Weeks and Jeff Johnson were featured on KSL's Browser 5.0, and were again spotlighted on the last day of November to showcase their 30 days of growth.
"It's been a lot of fun," Weeks said. "I'd had one in the past. My wife, we've been together for 40 years. She pretty much ignores it."
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Movember
No, we aren't just mispronouncing November. Movember is a campaign -- happening in November -- for men all across the nation to grow the best moustache they can. And it isn't just about cultivating facial hair -- it's a fashion statement -- for a cause.Alan Weeks recruited 32 of his co-workers at Larry H. Miller Toyota to participate.
Jeff Johnson, in his 3rd year of joining the Movember movement got a few of his friends to grow staches as well.
"You know, the first couple of weeks it's always a little rough, but once it starts coming in, I enjoy it," Johnson said. "I think it's fun. My wife approves."
The Movember movement was started by a couple of mates in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. Since then it has exploded around the globe. Last year, more than $126 million were raised in the effort.
The bottom line is raising money and having a good excuse of growing a mustache while doing it.
"It really is a good cause," Johnson said. "Other cancers get a lot of press. Sometimes men's health issues don't really."
Movember is also about raising awareness for men to take action in being proactive about their health.
"So a big thing about Movember is not only having fun raising money, but also raising awareness," Weeks said. "Get a physical!"
Both men said they would keep their mustaches for a few more weeks.
The current amount raised around the world is currently close to $109 million and counting. Money will continue to trickle in over the next few weeks as Movember comes to a close.
