As we approach the middle of the month, the early results of No-Shave November are rolling in. Few of us sport respectable beards, while the vast majority clings to wispy patches of facial hair while weathering the (hopefully) good-natured ribbing of friends. Regardless of the state of facial hair, however, we all come together to support and raise awareness for the worthy cause of research to cure prostate cancer and other men’s health issues.

Yet, judging by social media and generally day-to-day interactions, many people in the Washington University community and the world in general are unknowing of the movement behind No-Shave November. Over the past couple of weeks, Yik Yak has been filled with posts about using No-Shave November as an “excuse” for morning laziness or jokes at the expense of those who may lack the ability to grow a beard. Popular belief espouses No Shave November as somewhat of a hipster holiday, a reprieve from the burden of shaving everyday without worry of society’s condescension, so in the interest of a public service announcement of clarification, here are the basic tenets behind No Shave November.

However, what many people do not know about is No-Shave November’s affiliation with the American Cancer Society. The purpose of the 30-day challenge is to raise awareness for prostate cancer by embracing the hair that many men lose during their cancer treatment. By letting their beards grow free, No-Shave November participants embody the survivors of prostate cancer and any other disease requiring chemotherapy.

In this sense, the No-Shave November challenge parallels one initiative promoted by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. In Cuts for the Cure, individuals buzz their hair to show support and solidarity with the afflicted and survivors of Breast Cancer.

Along with letting their beards grow free, men participating in the No-Shave November challenge are encouraged to donate the money they would usually spend on grooming products to any research organization promoting and education people about men’s health.

The second challenge of No-Shave November that many either conflate with the first or simply do not know of is Movember. A movement started in Melbourne, Australia in 2004, Movember requires participants to grow solely a mustache over the course of 30 days to raise awareness for men’s health and depression. The 30 original organizers of the event made it more of a contest of style than a simple challenge of restraint.

Movember, unlike No-Shave November, requires one to sign up to participate and become a “Mo Bro” through their website. As registered participants, Mo Bros seek to actively fundraise for men’s health while simultaneously competing in the mustache competition. While being a Mo Bro does not necessitate donating money yourself, it is highly encouraged.

As for the challenge portion of Movember, participants groom and grow a unique mustache over the 30 days, following three simple rules. First, they must begin from cleanly shaven faces on Nov. 1. Second, the mustache must not connect to the sideburns nor the chin as those become a beard and a goatee respectively. Third, the Mo Bros must conduct themselves as gentlemen, upholding the image of the Foundation while promoting the movement.

Since the inception of Movember, nearly $300 million in funds have been raised, and partnerships with Gillete and TOMS have been created.

Yet as with many other movements in the digital age, No-Shave November is becoming less about the cause and more about the individual. As with the Ice Bucket Challenge, No-Shave November is being reduced to “meme” value if you will—how the individual can gain fame on the back of the greater good.

Don’t continue to extend the self-centered culture of America to worthy causes like this. Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men and will afflict one out of every seven men in their lifetimes. In 2012 alone, 307,000 men died from prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

No-Shave November is neither just an “excuse” to not shave nor a reason to mock a friend’s patchy beard. It is a real movement focused on real people. So pick up the cause, help raise awareness and fundraise to save lives; grow a wild beard or styled mustache, but just don’t make it a joke—because it isn’t a joke to those afflicted.