I Need Mo’ Movember

A lot of great things have happened this month. So much good stuff that a) I haven’t had time to write about it, and b) I don’t ever want December to come. Aside from my actual race, my 7th place qualifies me for USA Triathlon’s 2012 team, their second highest national team level. Hopefully this means that next year I can make the World Championship and World Cup series my focus, and I won’t have to roam the world in search of ITU points in order to maintain my ranking.

More important than triathlon, however, my sister gave birth to an 8lb 5.5oz boy yesterday. I was the first visitor, so I got to spend some quality time holding little Carter Timothy Lamb. He was impossible to wake up, so it was like holding a warm little brick of newborn baby – super fun.

Now, you may notice in the picture that I’m rockin’ a killer ‘stache (look closely – my genetics have a different perspective of what it takes to make a ‘stache “killer”). That’s because it’s Movember (formerly known as November). But before I lead you to believe that I’m growing my moustache solely to raise awareness for man cancers I should tell the story about how I became so good lookin’.

Back in October I stayed with my friend Mark. He was the reason I got into cycling after college, and when I saw that he had grown a killer ‘stache I thought it was another excellent idea. I watched this video and followed the directions to a T. My beard was growing fine until I shaved my head for Huatulco – a bald head looks weird on top of a scraggly beard. I trimmed it down to a goatee, and kept it there until about a week ago when Courtenay convinced me that a thin moustache looks better than a chin bush.

Still, my girlfriend hates the lip fuzz, so when I heard about Movember – a month-long campaign to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer – it seemed like a pretty perfect charity event for me to take part in. Now, I know boy cancers aren’t the at the forefront of most people’s concerns right now – with DC changing breast cancer screenings and all – but testicular and prostate cancers are big problems, and deserve some attention. So click on the link to my Movember Donations Page, and give a few bucks to a good cause. Do it because it’s a good thing to do, and help save my ‘stache at the same time.

Here’s the official donation request:

Hi,
I have decided to join a global movement that is bringing much needed attention to cancers that affect men.  I’m doing this by growing a Moustache this Movember, the month formerly known as November. My commitment is to grow a moustache all November and I am hoping that you will support my efforts by making a donation.  The funds raised go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LIVESTRONG).
What many people don’t know is that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 18-35.  Facts like these have convinced me I should get involved. 
To make a donation, you can either:
•    Click this link http://us.movember.com/mospace/494091/ and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account , or
•    Write a check payable to ‘Movember Foundation’, referencing my Registration Number 494091 and mailing it to: Movember Foundation, PO Box 2726, Venice, CA 90294-2726.
All donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation will use the money raised by Movember to fund research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. 
The Lance Armstrong Foundation will use the money raised by Movember to fund:
•    The LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance program which has the goal of improving survival rates and quality of life for young adults with cancer between the ages of 15 and 40.
•    Research initiatives to further understand the biology of adolescent and young adult cancers.
For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please go to http://us.movemberfoundation.com/research-and-programs/.
Thank you

-Benjamin Collins