The buzz of electric razors was music to people’s ears Wednesday in Johnson Hall, marking the end of a successful Movember campaign at the University.
J.J. Owen, a University graduate student and Movember organizer, shaved off the mustache that University President Richard Lariviere grew for Movember, which is also known as No-Shave November, in front of a small crowd in Johnson Hall.
Owen and fellow University graduate students Matt Geschke, Rishi Mukhi, Wes Petticrew and Judy Sheldon organized the month-long mustache-growing initiative to raise money for LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation and bring attention to men’s health issues.
The University Movember network raised close to $10,000 for LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and nearly 300 students and faculty members joined the online Movember network. The Movember organizers are waiting to hear from their partners for the final donation count, which they think will be closer to $20,000.
Their success impressed the organizers.
“It far and above exceeded our expectations,” Petticrew said.
Lariviere was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early November and underwent surgery in mid-November. Members of the University’s Movember network asked Lariviere to grow a mustache for their cause.
Lariviere said he couldn’t refuse.
“They came to me shortly after I was diagnosed. What could I say?” he said.
Lariviere, who grew a mustache for two weeks, said he is impressed with the University students’ success this month, both in fundraising and in educating the campus community.
“It raises consciousness and makes people aware of early detection,” he said about the campaign.
Lariviere noted the importance of early detection when it comes to prostate cancer. His prostate cancer was diagnosed early, and the earlier the detection, the higher and better chances of recovery and smoother recovery.
“I’m in great shape now,” Lariviere said. “I feel terrific.”
The MBA students used the power of networking to raise money and get the campus community involved. The Duck Store sold Movember mustache T-shirts, and $5 from every $12 T-shirt sold went to LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Nike and Oregon Health and Science University provided flyers and clothing donations, while Max’s Tavern and Agate Alley Bistro hosted fundraising events.
The organizers also teamed up with O Heroes, the community service branch of the Oregon athletic department that engages student-athletes in outreach projects.
“Groups all over campus have really caught on,” Mukhi said.
The students think they have put in a strong foundation for Movember to continue in future school years and are excited about their success this month.
“Our goal is to put in the infrastructure that this continues on next year,” Geschke said.
Men’s Health Awareness
• Cancer is the number one natural cause of death in people ages 15-39
• In 2006, 203,415 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 28,372 men died from it
• One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Men rarely experience no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer
• Early detection of prostate cancer increases chances of recovery
• Movember raised $42 million worldwide in November 2009 for men’s health
Information from Movember, Oregon Health and Science University, the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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