With the cold weather closing in and the days becoming noticeably shorter, November is truly here. November brings many things, preparations for finals, the onslaught on Christmas and the sudden surge of men with facial hair.

The Movember movement originated in Melbourne, Australia over 10 years ago as a way to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and depression in men. Today, the non-governmental organization was listed in the top 100 organizations of its type in the world by the Global Journal and is established in countries like Israel, El Salvador, Taiwan and Denmark to name a few.

Since its inception, the Movember Charity has raised more than $677 million worldwide to benefit men’s health. Last year, Canadians raised over $24 million, which will aid issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity in men. That’s a lot of money, but perhaps there would be a lot more money if everyone who claimed to be growing the upper lip accessory in support of the charity actually donated to it, that total would be a lot bigger.

Even in the halls and classrooms of our own college, you can hear young men proclaiming their efforts to support the men’s health charity by bragging about their current facial hair growth progress. Do you ever wonder if they really are donating funds or if it’s a fun fashion statement and way to appear sympathetic to the cause?

It’s predicted that as many as 4,000 men will die this year from prostate cancer in Canada alone with more than 24,000 new cases being diagnosed. These men dying and being diagnosed are your brothers, uncles, fathers and grandfathers.

This holiday season, we encourage you to ask the men in your life to see a doctor and get checked out. We’d also encourage you to question those around you who adorn the moustache to see evidence of their financial support, not just their sweet new hipster accessory.