Members of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity are abstaining from their shaving routines throughout the month of November, using the mustache to support men’s health.

Named after the Australian slang word “mo,” for mustache, “Movember” is a month-long event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues.

“College-age men are more at risk for testicular cancer than other ages,” said Carl Vogt, a Phi Kappa Theta member. “Men’s cancer specifically is a topic that isn’t highly recognized.”

By growing their mustaches for 30 days, the fraternity members hope to become “a natural billboard” and raise awareness among their peers. 

“Any sort of awareness or fundraising for it is helpful, even if it just gets it in their brain a little bit to think about it and be looking to self-exams or things like that, because that can do a lot in the realm of prevention and treatment,” Vogt said.

For the fraternity’s future president, Jacob Coatney, Movember also illustrates a change that needs to happen in the attitudes of men toward their health and virility.

“Oftentimes, compassion and vulnerability are not characteristic of ‘manliness,’ and Movember is fighting against that notion,” Coatney said.

“It encourages us to be real and honest, and take care of ourselves and the men in our lives. To be contributing to such a cause is to show what manliness really is.”

The fraternity will be hosting a philanthropy event, Mac ‘N’ Stache, Nov. 19 at 1220 University Ave. to benefit the Movember Foundation.

The Movember Foundation is a global charity that was started in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia.

The organization focuses on four issues that threaten men’s health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

Collegian Reporter Rachel Fountain can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @rachelcfountain.