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November

No-Shave November – November 2024

What is No-Shave November?

No-Shave November seeks to grow awareness — not to mention hair-ness — about cancer. The organizers want people to embrace their hair, which many cancer patients lose, and to let it grow — as the holiday’s originators say — “wild and free.” No-Shave November is a fun and creative way to remind folks that many of our friends and neighbors struggle every day with the disease and with efforts to fight it. Moreover, organizers also encourage participants to donate the money they’d normally spend on hair care to cancer support and educational organizations.

History of No-Shave November

No-Shave November was created in 2009, two years after the passing of Matthew Hill who struggled with colorectal cancer during the month of November in 2007. He and his family had already adopted the practice of not shaving during the month of November and donating the expenses typically used on razors and shaving cream to charities that support research into illnesses such as prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer among others. 
The idea of using facial hair to create awareness during November started in 2003 in Australia with a group of friends who coined the term, “Movember,” in reference to how they will be growing out their mustaches and collecting money for mens’ health charities during that month. The Movember Foundation and No-Shave November are two separate entities, but they are both supporting and call for the same thing – stop shaving (or grow a mustache) during the month of November to spread awareness and donate to these types of charities. 
In the past decade and a half that the two charities have been around they’ve been able to raise millions of dollars in support of charities that research prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer prevention. 

No-Shave November timeline

​2018
​No-Shave November raised millions

The family run, web-based No-Shave November organization has grown exponentially since 2009. In fact, the organization has raised more than $2 million dollars to date.

​November 2009
The Hills adopt No-Shave November for a cause

The Hill family of Chicago decided to use No-Shave November — already a longtime tradition — as a way to raise money for charity.

​November 2007
​Matthew Hill passed away

Matthew Hill, the father of the originators of No-Shave November, passed away from colon cancer.

No-Shave November FAQs

Can I get a haircut during No Shave November?

Yes, if you can’t grow a beard then you can get a haircut at the beginning of the month and let it grow all wild throughout No-Shave November to show your support. 
 

Is it no shave November or Movember?

It is both. No-Shave November is a US-based charity supporting the same causes as Movember. The only difference is Movember is about growing out a specific mustache, No-Shave November is about simply not shaving at all. 
 

Can you grow a beard for Movember?

No one will stop you, but Movember is about mustaches. No-Shave November is more appropriate for a beard. 
 

Do I have to shave my beard for Movember?

Yes. You have to start with a clean face on November 1 to participate in Movember. 
 

No-Shave November Activities

  1. Let your hair grow and flow, obviously

    The rules of No-Shave November are easy to remember: Don't shave during the month and, instead, donate your typical monthly hair expenses to the cause.

  2. Set up your own fundraiser

    The rules of No-Shave November are easy to remember: Don't shave during the month and, instead, donate your typical monthly hair expenses to the cause.

  3. Spread the word far and wide

    It's great to live in an interconnected world. That's because you can support, celebrate and endorse No-Shave November on social media. Don't forget the hashtag: #NoShaveNovember

​5 Hair-raising Facts About No-Shave November

  1. ​People have been shaving for ages

    ​Before razors, people would remove unwanted hairs using two shells or other sharp tools to pluck the hairs out.

  2. Shaving's a "Great" idea

    Macedonian king Alexander the Great was a strong proponent of shaving, because he appreciated how tidy it made everybody look.

  3. ​Shave and a haircut — at home?

    ​According to some estimates, barbershops' share of shaving revenue dropped from 50 percent in the late 1800s to about 10 percent by 1939 due to the invention of personal electric and safety razors.

  4. ​Confucius predicted this

    Confucians were discouraged from cutting hair, fingernails or beards, since Confucius himself said the body was a gift from our parents.

  5. Women haven't always been smooth-shaven

    Western women began shaving their legs en masse right around the First World War when dress hemlines became shorter and swimsuits became more revealing.

Why We Love No-Shave November

  1. Cancer touches everyone

    Most people know someone who is suffering from cancer. Although treatment has improved over the decades, it remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world.

  2. Hair is in!

    Trends come and go. Then they come back. One trend that came back around (with a vengeance) is facial hair. You can't throw a stick these days without hitting a dude with a bodacious beard or a 1970s-style mustache.

  3. It reminds us of things we don't normally think about

    The clever idea behind No-Shave November is the idea that cancer patients often lose their hair. No-Shave November brings that into focus while raising money and awareness.

No-Shave November dates

YearDateDay
2024November 1Friday
2025November 1Saturday
2026November 1Sunday
2027November 1Monday
2028November 1Wednesday
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