It's that time of year again! No, not pumpkin spice latte season (though that is upon us), but No Shave November and Movember. For the uninitiated, both are a month-long challenges where participants forego shaving in order to raise awareness for cancer. So where did this hairy tradition come from? Let's take a closer look at the difference between Movember and No Shave November:
The Movember Foundation was founded in Australia in 2003  with the specific goal of fundraising for prostate cancer. The name is a portmanteau of "Mo," for mustache, and November. No Shave November, meanwhile, began as a Facebook campaign in 2009 by the family of Matthew Hill, who sadly passed from colon cancer, with the goal of broadly raising awareness and money for cancer research and charities by giving participants the opportunity to donate the money they typically spend on shaving and grooming to cancer research and education.
"Since partnering with the American Cancer Society in 2013, No-Shave November events have raised over 3.5 million dollars in funds for the Society. No-Shave November also works with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and St. Jude’s," reports Dictionary.com.
The goal of both campaigns is to grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose during chemotherapy treatment. Since their humble beginnings, both campaigns have grown into a global phenomenon, with people of all ages and genders taking part in the challenge.

How to Participate in Movember or No Shave November

If you're interested in participating in either Movember or No Shave November, getting started is easy. All you got to do is put down your razor or clippers and let your facial hair grow out. You can spread awareness by posting a few selfies on social media and explaining your participation in the caption. If you want to take it a step further, you can create a personal fundraising page or donate directly to one of the many participating charities.
So there you have it—everything you need to know about Movember and No Shave November. This hairy tradition is the perfect way to show your support for those battling cancer, as well as honor those who have lost their fight. So ditch the razor and let your facial hair run wild this November!