Supporting Cancer Awareness

Have you ever noticed that during the month of November, a large contingency of men grow wild and woolly facial hair? While some sports fans have superstitions about not shaving their faces while their favorite team is on a winning streak, the unkempt facial hair you see during November has a very valid and philanthropic purpose.

“No-Shave November” was a cult tradition for many years, but did not become a way to raise cancer awareness until a family from Chicago put the project into action after losing their father to colon cancer. The purpose behind this month of no razors is simple – to raise money and awareness for various cancers, and to support prevention, research and education. Many cancer patients lose their hair during cancer treatments, so participants in No-Shave November forgo shaving and grooming as a way to support those going through treatment. The action is a conversation starter to educate people on the prevalence of cancer in our society and encourage them to participate in the fight to stop it for good. Participants are asked to donate the money they would have spent on grooming and shaving during November to an organization that supports cancer research, cancer patients or cancer survivors. It’s not just for men, either – women can get in on the action by skipping their daily shaving regimen, too! Learn more about No-Shave November here.

Did you know the American Cancer Society (ACS) lists over 75 known cancers? We all know about breast cancer, lunch cancer and colon cancer … but have you heard of bile duct cancer, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia or nasopharyngeal cancer? While going sans razor for a month is a more “in your face” method (pun intended) to raise funds and awareness, there are a wealth of different ways you can become involved and show your support. Providing the knowledge and education about risk factors and screenings needed to identify those risk factors or recognize symptoms is a crucial part in the fight to stop cancer.

It’s a safe assumption that most everyone these days has been affected by cancer, either as a patient or having a beloved friend or family member with a diagnosis. For many people, supporting the research and prevention of the particular cancer that has affected them directly is the easy choice. If you lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer or brain tumors, these may be an area of extreme interest for you.

Here are a few simple ways to show your support:

• Be a voice for change! Use your social media platform as a way to share information and educate your friends and followers. If you have a personal story to tell, they want to hear it! Provide resources and information that will inform them so they can make healthier lifestyle choices and be educated about screenings and other risk factors.
• A monetary donation is always a welcome gift to any organization trying to increase awareness or conduct research. Visit the website of the particular organization you want to support to find out how to make a tax-deductible contribution. Many employers offer a matched gift if employees wish to give part of their earnings to a particular charity – ask your human resources department if this is available to you. Planned gifts are another easy way to donate money to the cancer organization of your choice.
• Volunteer! Giving of yourself and your time is as valuable as providing a monetary gift. Depending on the organization you are interested in, the opportunities will vary. Find out what kinds of help they are in need of and see what fits with your life and schedule.
• Fundraise: You don’t have to set up a massive fundraising event in order to make a difference. You can fundraise in a multitude of ways: by joining an activity that is already set up to donate proceeds to a cancer-related organization (ie: Rugged Maniac races, Hope on the Slopes, Relay for Life, biking events, galas and golf tournaments).
• You can also fundraise on your own – the ACS calls it, “DIY Fundraising” and they are kind enough to provide information on their website that gives step-by-step instructions on how to create your own fundraising event to promote cancer awareness and raise funds.
• Shop! The easiest and perhaps most fun of all. Many retailers offer a reward or will donate a particular portion of your purchase to different organizations. Check out the opportunities on AmazonSmile to donate a percentage of your Amazon purchase to a particular charity. Some cancer support organizations also have online shops where you can buy swap to visibly show your support. The money you spend helps raise funds for them, too.

  The most effortless way of all is to simply provide support to those in need. Be a friend, a shoulder to lean on, a fellow celebrator, a warrior. Support the reality of living in a world free of cancer.