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It’s a beer foam blocker. A soup strainer. The manliest of face fungi. Now, the mustache is something else – it’s a potent fundraising tool.

CMers in Chicago, London and Toronto are participating in Movember – a month-long celebration of the mustache, which also serves to highlight and raise money for men’s health issues.

We’re showing our commitment by growing mustaches during Movember, the month formerly known as November. It’s a commitment to men’s health, solidarity, and, frankly, awesomeness.

It seems silly, but the cause is serious. 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 18-35. If you are a dude, or know or love a dude, it’s likely your life could be affected.

CMers have collectively raised over $15,000 during the last two Movembers and we are excited to participate for a third year.

But we need your help. We’re raising money through Movember for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. And we’d like you to donate to our cause.

Donate online with your credit card or Paypal account. You can donate generally to a team, or to the individual you think best represents the Movember spirit.

Give to a team in these CM cities:
Chicago
London
Toronto

Or donate to an individual CMer. Here’s why some of us chose to grow a ’stache this Movember:

Tim: For the third consecutive Movember I’m archiving my facial hair growth patterns in hopes of finding secrets of the universe. (Donate to Tim.)

Rob: I have two reasons for doing this. The charity is very worthwhile while being incredibly easy to do with social media. Second, my wife actually thinks the moustache is hot because she grew up in the middle of rural Ohio and is, sadly, damaged by the experience. (Donate to Rob.)

Greg: Recently shaved my hair down short. How to best accent my new look? Shaved head + Fat ‘stache = BADASS. And, cancer runs in my family, so I wanted to do some good. Suck it, Cancer. (Donate to Greg.)

DJ: Cancer runs in my family, so I wanted to give back using one of my best skills: being able to grow a luxurious, testosterone-soaked handlebar mustache. Dig it. (Donate to DJ.)

Sabrina: What better way to build awareness then to see a city full of ’stache and a donation page full of cash? (Donate to Sabrina.)

Johnathan: Cancer in any shape or form is an emotional and physically taxing thing to deal with, and being part of a potential solution is what motivates me to help. Plus, I’ve always wanted to look like a pirate (even though my mustache takes forever to grow). (Donate to Johnathan.)

Jason: I feel like I should be wearing a Vote for Pedro shirt, due to the adolescent nature of my current moustache. It is an embarrassment I wear with pride, knowing it pales in comparison to what my Dad endured as he (successfully) fought off prostate cancer a few years ago. This is such a great cause, and growing a moustache in this day and age is a REAL conversation starter. Please donate to Prostate Cancer Research, and if you’re so inclined use this link. (Donate to Jason.)

Richard: Growing a mustache is something of an austerity, but nothing compared to the ordeal of having to endure something as painful as prostate cancer. I wouldn’t really know how that feels, and hopefully never will, but with the odds at 1 in 6 I figured I’d join in the effort to try and find a cure. (Donate to Richard.)

Jarrod: I’m wearing this dead squirrel on my lip to support my Dad who suffers daily because of this indiscriminate blight. Please donate what you can to Cancer Research. (Donate to Jarrod.)

Critical Mass is all about compelling user experiences. And what experience isn’t accentuated by a thick mass of man-fuzz across the upper-lip?

Even the anti-mustachio crowd can get involved, donating on behalf of our poor significant others who tolerate our hairy smooches during the month. Let’s face it: there’s no excuse not to get involved.

Please show your support this Movember. Thanks!

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