Let It Grow!

Art credits to Wanxing Lu!

Art credits to Wanxing Lu!

Diya Kulkarni ‘20

No Shave November may seem like a mere excuse to shirk personal hygiene responsibilities. However, there lies a greater purpose behind the month that many students may not know about.

The goal of No Shave November is to spread awareness about cancer and men’s health issues by embracing one’s hair, something most cancer patients lose due to chemotherapy or sickness. Participants can then donate money that they would usually spend on shaving and grooming to direct cancer organizations in order to educate themselves and others about cancer prevention. Alternatively, participants can donate to organizations that provide medicine or treatment to aid cancer patients.

Though No Shave November is dedicated to awareness about men’s health in general, the movement is mostly directed to bringing attention to the screening, preventions, and diagnosis of prostate cancer, the second most pervasive cause of death in American men. Cancer patients face many challenges while they are fighting for their lives, including that of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy divides cells, resulting in hair loss, thus the corresponding directive of the month.

One can participate by skipping a waxing appointment, letting one’s mustache grow out, or not shaving one’s legs. No Shave November has grown so popular that several Ridge students often participate too. Kaivu Hariharan ‘20 states that, “No Shave November is a great way to bring attention to an issue that is ordinarily not brought to light.” The initiative is a great conversation-starter for important yet often neglected conversations.

Alyssa Lin ‘19 explains it as “a fun and light hearted way for friends to support a worthwhile cause.”

Teachers, staff, and even principal Mr. Howlett, also take part in this event. Mr. Howlett says that he is “participating to show unity and to make people more aware… to raise more money for research, awareness and not shaving!”

Cancer is a disease that can strike at any time, and when it does, people must grow stronger than they ever thought they would have to be. As fortunate as students at Ridge may be, cancer can affect anyone, regardless of who they are. Students can start helping out those who need it the most by incorporating a sense of unity throughout the school by taking part in No Shave November and donating to cancer prevention.

Growing one’s hair out can support students, teachers, parents, and others who are affected by cancer. Because cancer strikes so many people every year, others must work together to aid those they care about. Why not start next year by spreading the word about No Shave November in your own school or town to help out those around you?