Students at the University of Saskatchewan are coming together to change the face of men’s health.

Throughout November, male students will be growing moustaches for the annual Movember campaign. Movember is a global charity that encourages men to give up shaving and grow moustaches for the entirety of the month to raise money and awareness to combat prostate and testicular cancer.

Participants can form teams to compete against other groups from around the world to see who can raise the most money.

The charge is being led by Do Something – U of S, a newly formed student group that takes on charitable causes such as homelessness, physical and mental health as well as the environment. In light of the season, the group decided to support Movember and organized the U of S Movember Challenge.

Team Captain Jon Ravichander said the U of S Movember Challenge is the only campus-wide Movember team. However, there are also teams from the colleges of law, dentistry and engineering.

The U of S Movember Challenge is part of Big Moustache on Campus — a competition that brings teams from universities across Canada to raise money for Movember.

Estimates by the Canadian Cancer Society suggest that one in seven Canadian men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime and that 65 men are diagnosed with it everyday. It is because of this that Ravichander feels like Movember is a worthy cause.

“The sooner we can beat this, the better,” Ravichander said. “I have friends who have had cancer and it’s just changed their lives profoundly. It’s something that no one should have to go through.”

An important part of Movember is encouraging men to get tested for prostate cancer. Do Something – U of S Logistics Manager Hersh Shukla said this is a challenge in itself.

“Alot of men don’t feel comfortable getting checked because they don’t think it can happen to them,” Shukla said. “But it needs to get out there because it’s a big thing and it’s really easy to become aware that you have this and hopefully get it fixed sooner.”

Alicia Thatcher, president of Do Something – U of S, said Movember isn’t just for men.

“I’m trying to do my part and figure out how ladies can get involved in Movember. Not that we can grow moustaches, but we can encourage our male peers and our profs to do it. We can still raise money and awareness and tell our boyfriends that they won’t look too ugly,” Thatcher said.

Ravichander said this year’s fundraising goal is $3,000. As of press time, the U of S Movember Challenge has raised $1174. The team raised about $1,000 last year.

The U of S Movember Challenge received a large donation from Juan Ianowski, an assistant professor from the Department of Physiology. Thatcher said Ianowski had initially agreed to shave his beard for Movember, but when she and Shukla went to his class on Nov. 1, they were surprised to see his facial hair intact.

“He started announcing how there was a few students who are really disappointed in him,” Thatcher said. “I guess his wife stopped him from actually shaving and growing a moustache, so he presented us with a $100 donation and challenged students in the class to get involved.”

Ravichander added that the campaign isn’t just about raising money — it’s about raising awareness.

“Even if you feel you can’t raise the money, you can grow the moustache and tell your friends and family about it. That’s terrific because it’s also about raising awareness,” Ravichander said.

The U of S Movember Challenge currently has 31 team members, but Ravichander said anyone is free to join throughout November. Ravichander has captained Movember teams since 2010 and has seen the movement grow every year.

“We’re hoping that in the coming years we can grow to 50, 100 or 200 people,” Ravichander said.

Several events are being planned alongside the month-long fundraising campaign. On Nov. 14, Do Something – U of S is planning a Movember awareness day that will include a photo booth in the Arts Tunnel and a moustache themed scavenger hunt.

The annual U of S Students’ Union Stache Bash will be hosted by Louis’ on Nov. 26 and will feature live bands. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Movember programs.

Donations are being collected online at ca.movember.com. Those interested in donating can search for “U of S” to find both the Movember Challenge and other campus teams. Donations will also be accepted in person by team members.