The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation challenges men to raise awareness about prostate cancer during “No Shave November.”
One in every nine men in Arkansas will face a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lives, but the disease is nearly 100% survivable if detected early. That’s why APCF is asking Arkansas men to go 30 days without shaving for a good cause, according to a news release.
Men are encouraged to take part in No Shave November individually or as part of a competition with others. They can then make a donation to APCF as a group or find creative ways to encourage others to make donations. All money raised remains in Arkansas to support APCF’s free awareness and educational programs, free prostate cancer screenings and free patient assistance programs.
“No Shave November is a fun way to raise awareness for a very serious threat to men’s health in our state. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men — and among men, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths,” said APCF Executive Director Chris Collier. “By simply foregoing their morning shave and growing their beard, men across Arkansas can help raise funds to promote awareness in our state and support prostate cancer survivors.”
Collier is leading by example in a beard-to-beard fundraising competition with Mark Hayes, executive director of the Arkansas Municipal League. They both have sported a beard for more than 30 years, so instead of growing a beard in November, the one who raises the most money gets to keep theirs and the loser has to shave.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,860 new cases of prostate cancer will b e diagnosed in Arkansas this year. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the disease, and the risk of prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. However, prostate cancer is nearly 100% survivable if detected early and screening can be as simple as getting blood drawn.
Details: www.arprostatecancer.org/no-shave-november/.