WASHINGTON – A lot of men seem to be sporting some extra facial hair this month.

Blame it on Movember — an annual event designed to raise awareness of men’s health issues.

It began in Australia, where the moustache became the symbol of a national health campaign. In recent years, American celebrities and pro-athletes have jumped on the bandwagon with NHL teams, including the Capitals taking the lead.

Locally, Movember’s greatest appeal seems to be among millennials like WTOP’s Chris Cichon, who first learned about the Movember movement on the internet. As he saw other young men signing on, he decided to do the same.

“No man likes to shave,” he says. “But this month you don’t have to because you can raise awareness for men’s health.”

For Cichon, the Movember campaign is also very personal. His dad has high blood pressure, and other members of his family have battled testicular cancer.

Some men are raising money for cancer treatment and research as they grow their Movember moustaches and beards. But for many, like Cichon, all that facial hair is first and foremost a symbol of solidarity.

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WTOP’s Chris Cichon and Kerry Walter are both involved in the Movember movement to bring attention to the special health needs of men. (WTOP/Amanda Iacone)

“It means something for my family but for other people as well who might have a family member — a father, a grandpa, an uncle — that might be battling some kind of disease,” he says.

That description also fits Kerry Walter, who works for WTOP’s business office. She is a member of Mo Sistas, the female side of the Movember movement.

“I got involved because my uncle had prostate cancer and he means the world to me,” she says.

The Mo Sistas help out with fundraising and offer moral support for the annual November event. They want to call more attention to the unique health challenges facing men.

These women also want to see more men take charge of their health – in Movember and all year long.

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