Last year around this time I started hearing about something called Movember, where men grow out their moustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer and other men’s health issues.

I saw that fellow blogger, Becca over at 25toFly.com, had created a group at Movember.com where like-minded men could grow their Mo’s together while raising money for the good cause. Last year over $174 million was raised in the name of Movember worldwide, with $21 million coming from the U.S.

My only Movember 2012 update.

Even though I joined the party a little late, I was very excited about growing a moustache for the month. I had planned on taking pictures each week to show my progress along the way, but I fizzled out and only posted a single update.

Not only did I only post one update, but I also half-assed my attempt in that I failed to shave off my goatee.

Simply adding a moustache to an already existing goatee isn’t really what Movember is about and, as I recently found out, is against the Movember rules.

This year I’ve vowed to not only follow the official Movember guidelines, but also to get others involved – co-workers, friends or anyone else willing to join – and to post weekly updates, of myself and my co-workers each Friday.

I’m also actively asking people to join Becca’s Bloggers for Movember 2013 team page (it doesn’t matter if you are NOT a blogger, just mention me and they’ll let you in) and donate whatever you can.

I brought it up about a week ago to my co-workers and got a decent response. Unfortunately as November Movember 1 drew closer, several of them have already started backing out with excuses like, “I can’t grow a good moustache,” “I’ll grow it until I start to feel like people are making fun of me,” or “I have to visit my parents at Thanksgiving.”

All I could do was sigh.

Thankfully there are a couple of guys at work who I know I can depend on to Grow the Mo’, including one who gave me our Movember Motto.

“In November we become REAL men.”

Just so we are clear, Movember is NOT the same thing as No Shave November (aka Noshember) which encourages people to “unite in the height of laziness” and not shave their beards or legs for the month.

The intent of Movember is to raise awareness for men’s health issues, not to embrace laziness.

So, with today being the first day of Movember, I am officially clean-shaven, something I haven’t been in well over 10 years. I’ve had my goatee so long that I hate seeing myself without it because it makes me feel like I don’t have a chin.

And don’t worry if you didn’t start the day clean-shaven, you can still join the cause. Just shave it down and Get Your Mo’ Going…

This is the before…

The last time I’ll see my goatee until December.

This is the after…

Clean-shaven and ready for Movember.

When I came out of the bathroom tonight sporting my new look…

Tammy: I can’t even look at you right now, it’s so weird.
Me: It’s not weird, it’s Movember.

Join the cause or stop by our team page and donate any amount you are comfortable giving. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Here’s the crew from work. There’s one more that will be joining us, he just forgot to shave this morning.

My group of smooth-shaven co-worker Mo’s kicking off Movember.