Gettysburg Lacrosse Backing 'Movember'
from staff reports
As fall progresses, many spring student-athletes are taking time
off to relax and train for the upcoming season. However, several
men's lacrosse teams, including Gettysburg College, are using the
time to help out for a good cause.
They are participating in "Movember," a month-long celebration of
the mustache highlighting a major men's health issue, prostate
cancer.
According to the organization's Web site, Movember has helped raise
$47 million globally to date, making it the world's largest charity
event for men. The event also helps to spread information about
these men's health issues to "Mo Bros," as participants are
called.
Money raised by the event will be donated to the Prostate Cancer
Foundation. The Prostate Cancer Foundation will use the money to
fund research into better treatments and a cure for prostate
cancer.
Participants in Movember raise money by having people sponsor their
mustache throughout November. Each Mo Bro starts the month with a
shaven face, and then allows his mustache to flourish.
Anyone looking to donate can go to www.stashmadness.org, click on "Donate", which
is on the left of the screen. From there they can choose anyone on
the team by double-clicking on their name. Afterwards they can use
a credit card to sponsor someone's mustache.
Major Division I programs at the University of Virginia and Brown
University appear to be spearheading the lacrosse campaign. But in
the early stages of the event, Gettysburg has surged to the lead in
terms of money raised.
Each team hopes to raise around $1,000 for the organization. This
will equate to each player raising $25-$30. Gettysburg's total now
stands at $2,040.
"People are always looking for an excuse to grow some goofy facial
hair. The fact that it's for a good cause and pretty easy to do
makes it better," said junior long-stick midfielder Tommy
Barnett.
Gettysburg's team is already deeply involved in several
philanthropic activities. Head coach Hank Janczyk said he has the
team involved in raising money for the Special Olympics and a local
food drive. In addition, he hopes to have the team run a free
lacrosse clinic this spring in Long Island, N.Y.
"Any time you can do easy things that don't take you out of your
comfort zone which will really benefit others, it's a really
positive experience," said Janczyk.
The facts at hand about these health issues are sobering. According
to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in six men will get prostate
cancer in their lives. Men also have a 35 percent higher chance of
getting it than women do of getting breast cancer.
"If you look around your locker room, according to the statistics,
six or seven guys on your team will be directly affected," said
Adam Ghitelman, a junior goalie for the University of Virginia.
Although the event addresses a serious problem for young men, the
participants will not lose sight of the lighter side of the
event.
Several teams are planning to celebrate the event with a party.
Teams are planning "Mustachio Bashio" parties that only players who
have sported mustaches for Movember will be allowed to attend.
As Danno Lynch, a senior midfielder at Gettysburg College said, in
addition to helping out for a good cause, "What prize is better
than a sweet mustachio bashio party?"
