Mustaches that make a difference in the Vail Valley

VAIL VALLEY, Colorado ” Have you noticed there are a lot more men in Colorado’s Vail Valley wearing or growing mustaches this month?

That’s because it’s ‘Movember,’ when, during November, men grow mustaches to raise money for and awareness of men’s health problems, such a prostate cancer.

‘Movember’ is a charity which started in Australia and has raised $29 million globally. Mo is Australian slang for mustache.

You can grow a mustache and enter as an individual or join a team and be sponsored, sponsor someone or just turn up to the ‘Movember’ party at E-Town in Edwards on Nov. 21. Proceeds from all food and drink purchased will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

There will be competitions and prizes awarded for the best mustaches in categories such as most like “Magnum PI” and “Hulk Hogan.” Judging starts at 8 p.m.

“That’s the opening day of Vail Mountain/ We hope people have fun skiing and then head over to E-town, to have fun and spend some money towards a good cause,” said Michael Holton, marketing manager for Beaver Creek.

Holton has started a team in the Vail Valley called “Vail Mo Bros and Sistas.” Holton was inspired to take part in the event as he has a brother with cancer.

“Unfortunately, cancer will probably impact us all in our lifetime and the search for a cure needs our help,” Holton said. “My brother, Jason, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at the age of 32. He has twin boys that are 15 months old.

“That reality made it easy for me to immediately hate this disease and become concerned about men’s health issues.”

Ian Douglas, captain of “Vail Mo Bros and Sistas,” works for Vail Resorts in international sales. He discovered “Movember” while on a business trip to Australia last year. Out of the four committee members, Douglas’ mustache is growing the best.

There are no beards or goatees allowed, however a ‘tickler’ ” a small growth under the bottom lip ” is allowed.

Kevin Egan and Miller Lewis, the owners e-town, are part of the team. Egan’s grandfather died of prostate cancer.

“I want everybody after having fun on powder to then come celebrate the mustaches in Edwards,” Egan said

There also will be a speaker that night from Vail Valley Medical Center will talk about men’s health.

“Guys try to be too tough,” Holton said. “We’ve got to look after ourselves ” there’s no shame in doing that ” to live a long and healthy life.

“The valley is such a healthy place, many of us are so fit and so active that we don’t think about diseases,” he said “Cancer doesn’t care about how fit and active you are it can affect any of us.”

Everyone’s invited to join by contacting Ian Douglas. Contact him at idouglas@vailresorts.com.

“Girls can also participate, they can draw a mustache on their index finger and hold it to their upper lip to show their support,” Douglas said.

You can also show your support by becoming a fan of Movember on Facebook or visit: http://us.movember.com/