November 4, 2011

By Ian Servantes

Halloween might be over, but MU’s male students saved their best disguises for November. The razors have been put away and mustaches are sprouting as Movember comes into full swing.

In its second year, Mizzou for Movember is behind the month-long celebration of scruff. Last year, a group of men from Phi Kappa Theta started the organization in order to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer.

Men are encouraged to refrain from shaving for 30 days. Throughout the month of November, the organization holds different events to embrace bold styles and raise money for the diseases.

Although prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer found in men, it is still relatively under-supported.

“We give so much attention to breast cancer, which I also believe is extremely important,” Mizzou for Movember spokeswoman Jordin Ruthstein said. “But at the same time, men deserve help too. I think Movember is a great way to help support men’s health.”

Even with the masculine nature of Movember, the women of MU are still a vital part of Movember, Ruthstein said.

“It is intimidating for most men to grow out a moustache due to an unfortunate stigma that comes with the stache,” Ruthstein said. “Mo Sistas support their fellow Mo Bros and help explain what Movember is to people who don’t know about the cause.”

As a member of Alpha Tau Omega, freshman Jake Rusteberg is feigning off the nervousness in order to support the colony’s student organization adviser Nathan Cheesman.

The members were some of the first people he told about his father’s prostate cancer. He then pledged to donate $1 per day for each brother who remains unshaven.

“I don’t usually participate in it because I look horrible,” Rusteberg said. “Since we are raising money for prostate cancer I fell like it’s a great way to help.”

Despite only meeting ATO alumnus Cheesman in October, members still jumped at the opportunity to help.

“To have that many people automatically join in is very supportive, honoring and humbling,” Cheesman said.

Mizzou for Movember held its kick-off party at Bengal’s on Wednesday night. The $5-per-person cover charge went directly to Mizzou for Movember and people of all ages were encouraged to come out. For those of legal drinking age, Bengal’s offered drink specials including the signature “Mo-Bomb,” a concoction of coke and cherry vodka.

“We were a little worried, when it started raining, that people would not want to come out, but we had a great turnout,” Ruthstein said.

The first party raised $700 dollars, with more events planned in coordination with the Greek Life community.

Shakespeare’s is having a profit share next Wednesday. For every flyer brought in, the restaurant will donate 15 percent of the profit to Mizzou for Movember. The flyers are available on the event’s Facebook page.

Buffalo Wild Wings will host a similar event from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19.

The organization will return to Bengal’s on Nov. 30 for the Movember Gala Parté. The gala finale will crown a king and queen of Movember amongst the candidates chosen by each participating chapter. There will also be a competition for attendees to find the best mustache.

Junior Nick Debandt plans to recreate the mustache of Daniel Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York.

“At a certain point, my facial hair tends to not grow as much so it will get to a certain length around mid-November and won’t get too much longer,” Delta Tau Delta’s Movember liaison Debandt said. “If it is long enough I’m going to try and find some moustache wax and try to get some handlebars and curl the ends.”

After the moustaches disappear, Mizzou for Movember will donate all the proceeds to the national Movember headquarters. The stubble is temporary, but the message is permanent.

“I like the fact that when I have a moustache and people ask me why, I can explain to them and raise awareness for these different types of cancer,” Debant said.