Fraternity Grows Facial Hair to Raise Awareness

One University of Tampa fraternity has been growing beards and mustaches to raise awareness about men’s health since the start of the month.

“It’s called ‘Movember,’” Andrew Lopes, vice president of Delta Tau Delta, said. “The month formerly known as Nov.”

In addition, the fraternity is handing out fliers detailing proper grooming tips for beards and mustaches.

“We’re at about $100 so far,” said Lopes. “We’re looking to raise more on campus with student involvement.”

The money raised will be given to research for prostate and testicular cancer.

“Our goal is to change the face of men’s health,” Lopes said.

In recognition of  “Movember,” the fraternity members shaved clean on the first and will not shave again until the end of the month.

“We will be giving a prize out at the end of the month to whoever has the ‘sickest’ mustache,” said Lopes.

The prize has yet to be determined.

Alex Baquero-Lima, community service chair and organizer of “Movember,” said this is the first time the fraternity has run this kind of fundraiser.

“We plan on doing it every year,” Baquero-Lima said.

Delta Tau Delta isn’t the only organization raising awareness about men’s health this month.

There is an official website, movember.com, that supports men all over the world fighting prostate cancer.

Students can donate on the website, find events to attend and create their own event.

Mandy Carr can be reached at acarr@ut.edu.