Men, get out those shavers.
This month is “Movember,” an international movement where men grow mustaches to bring awareness to men’s health issues.
Participants, known as “Mo Bros,” are encouraged to shave their faces today and use the next 30 days to “groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery,” as the Movember Foundation’sweb site describes.
Men can raise funds for prostate and testicular cancer initiatives by seeking sponsorships for their mustache-growing efforts. Women can participate as “Mo Sistas” by registering online and supporting the effort.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is getting into the spirit of Movember with a prizes, promotional materials and events aimed at increasing early cancer detection, diagnosis and treatments and encouraging men to adopt healthier lifestyles.
“Men make only half the visits they should to their doctors for preventive checkups. We’ve got such an opportunity to save lives just by making men more committed to their own health needs,” Blue Cross President and CEO Daniel Loepp said in a statement.
The Detroit-based insurer will pose a health challenge each week onAHealthierMichigan.org and ask men to share photos and comments on social media sites with the hashtag #ShoYoMo on Twitter. Participants can win prizes, including signed memorabilia from Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Healther Michigan site offers more information on Movember events and promotions, men’s health tips and even a list of famous Michigan mustaches. (We think they’re missing a key ’stached Michigander — Tom Selleck!)
Blue Cross will hand out men’s health information and blue mustaches at the next two University of Michigan home football games. Information also will be available at Michigan State University’s last home game on Nov. 17.