What the Heck is Movember? [Help Team Austin (and Me) Raise Money for Men's Health]

"Each year, Movember, the month formerly known as November, is responsible for the sprouting of thousands of Mo's (Australian slang for moustache, where the movement began) on men’s faces around the world, raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically for cancer affecting men. Men who grow moustaches for the month of Movember, called Mo Bros, become walking, talking billboards for the cause, raising awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by getting friends and family to donate to their Mo-growing efforts.

The rules are simple: register online at Movember.com and start the month of Movember clean-shaven, then grow a moustache for 30 days. Last year, 255,722 men and women across the globe raised $40 million (USD) - all through the power of the Mo."

~Movember Foundation 2010 website

Last year, when I began tracking local networking and giving opportunities for the small interactive agency I work for, the social networks were abuzz about a month-long charity event called Movember. I decided to check out what the event was about by attending an Austin Movember event much like the lunch Team Aus and Third Base are hosting today.

I was marginally involved and donated by purchasing a meal during the hours the restaurant agreed to share part of the proceeds with Team Aus. This year, cancer hit close to home as a close friend was diagnosed. Emotionally I felt helpless. Writing about it helped. Getting involved with Movember feels even better. Watch the video below to see Team Austin members talking about the experience.

Click HERE to visit my Movember Team Aus page and join in the fun, view my Mo progress in photos, read updates, find out about events (see calendar below) or donate. It's for a worthy cause that is only in it's fourth year. Locally we have nearly TRIPLED the membership over last year and raised over $17,000 so far. We would like to reach 250 Austin Mo Bros and Sistas.

Austin Movember events are being hosted by cool Austin venues like The Highball (my favorite MoVenue and host of the Gala Party), Uncorked Tasting Room and Third Base. The calendar below is active and additional events and locations will be added through the official December 9th Movember end date. Join us at one of the events below and find out why growing a Mo and hanging with all the Mo Bros and Sistas is such a good time.