The Nevada Sagebrush

Tony Contini/Nevada Sagebrush: Jimmy Bates shaves off Dave Davis’ moustache at the “Movember” kickoff party Monday night.

➤ The organization has arranged discounts at Nightmare Tattoo Studios, Eclipse Pizza Co., Sierra Tap House, The Biggest Little City Club and AMF Starlite Lanes for moustached participant.
➤A moustache pageant and an end-of-the-month party will be held.

Moustached men and women will show their support for men’s health with facial hair this November.

The City of Remo, an organization for men’s health awareness, calls the month-long activity “Movember.” Participants will grow moustaches to promote early prostate and testicular cancer detection.

Nico Aguilera, co-founder of the City of Remo, said Movember addresses low awareness and willingness in men to get routine health checks.

“It’s usually because of pride or the whole macho thing, but with prostate cancer early detection is key,” he said. “That’s why we are trying to spread awareness. When people think of November or a moustache, I want them to think, ‘have I checked my prostate?’”

Started in 2003 by two Australians raising money for men’s health, Movember has become an international philanthropic foundation where men and women grow moustaches to show their support, Aguilera said.

Aguilera and another local founded the City of Remo in 2008 and raised about $11,000 in 2009.

The City of Remo is working with the University of Nevada, Reno’s Ad Club to create promotional material. UNR students are a target demographic for Movember because the 18-35 age group is the most susceptible to testicular cancer, Aguilera said.

There will be a public service announcement during halftime at a Wolf Pack basketball game Saturday. City of Remo also met with Greek life organizers to promote the month, Aguilera said.

Donald Pickering, spokesperson for the City of Remo, is a survivor of testicular cancer. Pickering was diagnosed with testicular cancer four years ago and became the official spokesperson last year. The City of Remo has already raised about $3,000 for developments in prostate and testicular cancer treatment, he said.

Openness and awareness of cancer risks can save lives, Pickering said.

“The two things that I stress are the importance of early detection and self-examination,” he said. “Younger men are embarrassed about the subject. If they have an issue they usually don’t want to talk about it.”

Events are planned throughout November, Aguilera said.

Sofia Paxton, community outreach for the City of Remo, said they want Movember to catch on like other cancer awareness campaigns.

“We want the moustache in Reno to be the equivalent of the pink ribbon for breast cancer,” she said.

Coree J. Hogan can be reached at chogan@nevadasagebrush.com.

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