During this time of the year, many participate in a well-known trend known as No-Shave November, ditching their razors and shaving cream to show off their wildly grown hair. However, only a few actually know the origin of this annual month-long phenomenon.

   The purpose of No-Shave November is to raise cancer awareness by letting one’s hair grow out freely, something most cancer patients are not able to do because of the treatment they receive. This concept has been around for years, but in 2009, the children of the Chicagoland Hill family decided to use it as a way to raise money for cancer research and treatments. They were inspired to turn this trend into a charity event after their father, Matthew Hill, lost his life to colon cancer in 2007.

   Everyone is encouraged to participate regardless of their gender, and the only requirement is that you let your hair grow. Whether this means sporting a new mustache or having longer leg hair is entirely up to the participant. The money saved from the usual cost of razors or salon appointments can be donated to the cause.

   For many men, this event means finding facial hairstyles that best suit them. Recently, the trend has been to grow a thick beard and mustache to complete the cool, hipster look, but that is not the only option available when it comes to facial hair. A plain old mustache is a great low-maintenance option for those who are not able to grow a full on beard. Maybe you have really been wanting to try out a goatee, or even a soul patch. No-Shave November is the perfect opportunity to experiment and find a new style.

   As mentioned before, this event is not only for men. Women can participate by letting their body hair grow out as well. Many women already find shaving their legs and arms tedious and tend to skip the habit during fall and winter. Why not deliberately give up shaving for a month to help out a charity?

   This event has helped the Chicagoland Hill family raise over two million dollars, and they hope to keep that number growing over the years. Every contribution, no matter how small or large, is greatly appreciated. So, this upcoming November, why not let loose and allow your hair to grow for this charity event, even if you are unable to donate money. Participation does not cost anything and helps raise awareness for a good cause.