No-Shave November, celebrated throughout the month of November, is an event to promote awareness of men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and other cancers. No-Shave November was first started in 2009 as an organization to raise money for men’s cancer research and since then has raised over $12 million for cancer research and awareness.
Matthew Hill was a man who died in 2007 due to colon cancer, which sparked the Hill family to start the Matthew Hill Foundation along with No-Shave November. The goal of this organization “is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free,” as described by the No-Shave November website. From 2009 to 2023, the Matthew Hill Foundation, who coined this month of awareness, has led the No-Shave November campaign. However, this is all changing in 2024.
In an official press release made by the Fight Colorectal Cancer, or Fight CRC website, it is revealed that the campaign will be passed on from the Matthew Hill Foundation. “After many years of dedicated work and impactful contributions to the fight against cancer, the Matthew Hill foundation is closing their doors and passing the razor to Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). Fight CRC is excited to announce it will now lead the No-Shave November campaign, ensuring the continuation of raising awareness and fund for cancer research, education, and prevention,” as stated directly from the press release.
Fight CRC hopes to continue on the legacy started by the Hill family and all they have done for those fighting cancer, their families and their communities. Monica Hill, co-founder of the Matthew Hill foundation and daughter-in-law of Matthew Hill himself shared in the Fight CRC press release of partnering with Fight CRC. “My father-in-law, Matthew Hill, was diagnosed with colon cancer and passed away in 2007 after a courageous 19-month battle. Matthew’s journey inspired the No-Shave November fundraising campaign, which eventually gave rise to the Matthew Hill Foundation, Inc. By partnering with Fight CRC, we are committed to continuing the fight against cancer, raising awareness and funding vital research in his memory.”
Who can participate in No-Shave November? The official website has an answer for that. “No-Shave November encourages participants of all genders to embrace their natural hair growth, symbolizing solidarity with cancer patients who often lose their hair due to treatment. This month-long journey invites individuals to forgo shaving and grooming, redirecting the money typically spent on personal care products toward cancer research and support organizations,” explains the No-Shave November website.
So, how can individuals participate? The official No-Shave November website shared a few ways one can participate in this month of awareness entitled “Ideas for Fur-ticipating” and include ideas such as forego a weekly haircut, avoid shaving legs, go a month without waxing upper lips, let chest hair show proudly and let armpit hair flourish. These are just some of the ways someone could participate as well as donating. A major tagline of the campaign is “Drop the razor and donate your monthly trimming costs to fight cancer.”
With so many ways to contribute and participate, No-Shave November kicks off soon, Nov. 1.