Expatica news

“Movember” wraps up monthly moustache tribute to fight cancer

Every 6 hours one man dies of prostate cancer in Belgium. And what started as a light-hearted sign of support to fight cancer in Australia — a moustache contest — has now spread like wildfire on an international level. With the goal of donating funds for further research towards prostate and testicular cancer, Movember has become known on a worldwide level as a hot idea cherished by popular culture and warmly supportive by millions.

Movember

Expatica moseyed on down to the BetaGroup coworking space in Brussels to see how some were progressing-in the hairy sense of course. Photo by Alison Cornford-Matheson.

Each year, for those willing (and able) to get hairy, Movember acts as a twist to the usual fall month where men grow facial hair for 30 days while trimming down to a stylish ‘stache. Since 2004 this annual ritual has caught attention from numerous foundations and thousands of supporters, and now country-specific websites full of active profiles pursuing a month-long moustache boast a flurry of high traffic.

In addition to the millions involved with either growing hair or donating funds, Movember Ambassadors included an array of celebrities and musicians, from Justin Bieber to Cake, Foster the People to Morgan Spurlock, Snoop Dogg to Bloomberg TV’s Matt Miller and more. Big businesses like Google Chrome and TOMS shoes jumped on board with promotional videos, footwear, and even an airline agency decorating a plane with Movember decals.

Movember

These expats in Belgium,  who share the same office workspace, are attempting to outgrow one another this year. Photo by Alison Cornford-Matheson.

Currently, Movember is coming to an end but there is still time to donate. All are encouraged to take an active role in showing your support. Find out more about the Movember movement and a list of donator profiles at be.movember.com/en. For Belgium supporters, those who want to donate to the BetaGroup’s Four Amigos can click here