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Many area men grew beards to bring attention to men’s cancer issues.
Many area men grew beards to bring attention to men’s cancer issues.
WARREN
The men of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell law firm and the Klaben Ford Lincoln dealership in Warren who grew beards last month to bring attention to men’s cancer issues are cleanshaven again.
Usually without facial hair, the men grew mustaches and beards during November to attract attention to their cause, hoping people would ask why so they could talk about Movember , a worldwide movement to raise awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer.
The whiskers, having accomplished their purpose, were removed at the end of November to the great delight of the women in their lives.
The two campaigns raised a combined $4,370 for research for prostate and testicular cancer: $2,500 raised by Klaben Ford Lincoln employees will be donated to the American Cancer Society earmarked for prostate cancer, and $1,870 raised by the attorneys will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Atty. Patrick K. Wilson of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, who noted that his three daughters and wife were “very happy” when he came home cleanshaven again, said he is thrilled with the results of the Movember campaign both monetarily and raising awareness.
“We received many notes, emails and telephone calls from the area and even other states thanking us. I was especially touched to hear from widows who had lost husbands to prostate cancer. It’s been a humbling experience,” he said.
The men at Klaben Ford Lincoln in Warren, including Mike Klaben, owner of the dealership, inspired by The Vindicator story about the attorneys at the Youngstown law firm, also grew facial hair during November.
Klaben pledged to donate $25 for every car sold during November, said John E. Repula, head of sales and leasing, who organized the Klaben effort.
Ninety-eight cars were sold, just two short of their goal of 100, and the owner kicked in the additional $50 enabling them to reach their financial goal of $2,500.
Repula, who said his girlfriend “could hardly wait” for the beard to come off, had numerous inquiries about his beard, giving him the hoped-for opportunity to talk about prostate cancer.
Repula and Wilson, who met last week to shave their beards, said they plan to get together next year and approach other people in the community to try and expand the local Movember campaign.