Discover the True Meaning of No-Shave November

Every year, folks from all walks of life participate in "No-Shave November" to raise funds and awareness for an important cause.

As a true blonde, growing visible facial hair is difficult and time-consuming, so I’ve chosen to maintain a clean-shaven appearance my entire adult life. Thus, I've never participated in No-Shave November and had little to no knowledge about the trend. That is, until recently. Personally, I always thought this was just an annual beard-growing contest among males everywhere, but that's actually not the case at all. There is a much more noble reason behind the trend.

How Does No-Shave November Work?

No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which all participants forgo shaving. The rules are simple—just put down the razor for 30 days. While many might think this trend is just for the fellas, it's actually for the ladies too. Folks can participate by growing a beard, cultivating a mustache, or letting those legs go natural by skipping that waxing appointment. In essence, everyone is allowed to look like Chewbacca this time of year.

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What Cause Does No-Shave November Support?

No-Shave November has been a tradition for many years, but in 2009, the Chicago-based Hill family decided to reinvent the activity to raise money for cancer awareness. The event was launched in honor of Matthew Hill, a father of eight who passed away from colon cancer in November 2007. Every November for the past ten years, No-Shavers have donated and helped the organization raise over $10 million to date.

According to the official No-Shave November charity website, the goal of No-Shave November is to raise cancer awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose. This year, and every November, participants are encouraged to donate the money they typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate others about cancer prevention and aid those fighting the battle.

While I don't spend a ton of money on facial hair grooming as it stands, I've decided to participate in this year's event anyway. If you would like to join as well and wish to learn more about how you can help fight cancer this month, click HERE.