Let It Grow: No-Shave November

To shave or not to shave, that is the question.

When most people think of November, they think of Thanksgiving or maybe even political elections–ugh. However, both pale in comparison to the decision made this month to either drop the razor or continue dragging it across the face (or for some, legs) each and every morning. Before we make this choice, let’s first understand what No-Shave November is all about.

The initial goal of No-Shave November was to change the face of men’s health by embracing facial hair in honor of cancer patients who lose hair during their battle.

However, it has since evolved into a campaign to raise awareness for both genders in support of overall cancer prevention, research, and education while also raising funds for this cause.

An estimated 2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Early detection and diagnosis can only help to make an impact on the number of preventable deaths. Going for your annual checkup, and being aware of your family’s history of cancer are important aspects of preventative care. Personally, I have a history of cancer in my family, and yes, I’m getting a bit older–not OLD–just older, so preventive care is essential!

Each November, the OneDigital Connecticut office holds a No-Shave November challenge where the team is given the opportunity to let facial hair flow or keep it tight.

We start the challenge off on November 1, completely clean-shaven and end up looking like grizzly bears toward the end of the month.

Even if you didn’t want to grow hair, you had the ability to sponsor a colleague, significant other or family member. If you chose to grow facial hair, you were encouraged to up the ante with a donation each week to stay in the race. At the end of the month, we gathered to enjoy great food and vote for three different hair growing categories: Best Baby-Face (A for Effort), Best Growth, and Best Transformation. Besides bragging rights, the winners received a fantastically carved log in the shaped of a face, complete with a beard made of bark. This year, all proceeds collected were donated to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Embracing our hair and letting it grow wild and free–something many cancer patients lose the ability to do–was the least our team could do to raise awareness and funds. Not only did we accomplish these goals for a great cause, but we did it as a team.