Fuzzy Logic: Movember Week One Update

By John DiGilio in News on Nov 11, 2011 7:20PM

It was just over a week ago that I sacrificed over 20 years worth of ever-changing facial hair patterns for a cleanly shaven mug and men's health. Last week I told you all about Movember and the causes it supports. I also shared with you some of the early Movember events that were happening here in the Windy City. In the days since, I have been sporting a fresh crop of fuzz on my upper lip and seeking out fellow Mo Bros in Chicago. Here is my week one update,

As a Movember neophyte, my first week was a slow one. My bifurcated focus, of course, was on my stache and my cash. Needless to say, the growth of each was equally nascent. My Nov. 1 shave was so close and left me so smooth that I was actually worried I might never grow facial hair again. It took a lot longer for the fuzz to break the surface again than I when I apply my usual home hack job.

Yet, after a few unnerving days, the testosterone for which I have been known since high school - I was an early bloomer - finally made itself evident. My initial donation stream was not much more robust either. I think it took a while for my friends and family to really get what I was doing. (Hint, hint to the ones reading this.)

In search of some brotherly inspiration. I decided to reach out to my fellow Mo Bros here in the city to see how their own Movember experiences were going. I heard from quite a few Chicago men whose lives had been touched by prostate or testicular cancer both directly and indirectly. Their experiences were as diverse as the 'stache patterns they are nurturing. They are united in purpose though. For each of them, Movember is all about changing the face of men's health and calling attention to the unique health issues that guys face - usually quietly - together.

Over at Ro-Bro Marketing & Public Relations, Aaron Brost has been on the leading edge of the Movember charge in Chicago, coordinating events and tweeting to the masses (@movemberchicago). His firm is a boutique marketing and public relations agency that specializes in food & beverage, lifestyle and cause marketing clients as well as the LGBT market. I asked Aaron what got a busy professional like him involved. "I have known several men in my life who have been affected by cancer." said Brost, "Participating in Movember is a great way to pay tribute to them. It's also incredibly FUN!" This is Aaron's fourth year as a Mo Bro and he has found it very gratifying to see participation, awareness and funds raised grow exponentially over the years.

Brost also introduced me to the guys of Team "Mo, No You Didn't". A group of eight friends, they are led by Gil Melott, publisher and CEO of local men's style site JACKarcher. He and long time friend, Marc "Moose" Moder were hosting a Movember fundraiser at Downtown Lounge when I caught up with them. For Melott, this initiative strikes incredibly close to home. His father is currently battling prostate cancer and one of his close friends lost the fight against testicular cancer. "Both of the diseases can be dealt with if identified and treated early." he said, "Men are notoriously bad about dealing with their own health. JACKarcher has a mission to inform young men about what's next - and taking care of themselves should be just as important as what band to listen to or car to drive." Moder had a similar story to share. "I lost my stepdad to prostate cancer last year, and my ex had testicular cancer when we were together." he told me. "If we were even a tenth as aware of these cancers as we are of Breast Cancer, HIV prevention, and heart disease, allot more lives could be saved." These are men on a mission and Movember carries their message.

I asked all of the guys that I spoke to about the status of their new 'staches. I was encouraged by the fact that I was not the only one struggling with a slow growing crop of whiskers. Those of us who are used to always sporting facial hair apparently forget that cultivating a sweet lip carpet takes time and care. Luckily, we all seemed to be on our way and we still have three weeks to go! I also asked all of the guys for fundraising advice for us Movember newbies. They were fairly united in their suggestions. E-mail, FaceBook, and Twitter seem to be the way to go. I guess I had better put my fingers to work! So where are the other Mo Bros out there? Let us hear from you. How are those mos coming in, guys? You could find youself featured next week!

(Ed. Note: John has set up a Movember page where you can follow him as he grows his mustache and donate to the cause. « CS)