Sheriff’s office staff ditch shaving for men’s health campaign

Annual ‘Movember’ campaign focuses on prostate cancer

If deputies and other staff from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office are starting to look kind of shaggy, there’s a good reason for it: “Movember.”

Movember, also known as “No Shave November,” is a month-long campaign and fundraiser focusing on prostate cancer awareness and men’s health in general.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the United States, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

For a donation, personnel get the OK to grow a beard or other facial hair. Those who can’t grow a beard but want to participate can wear a light blue ribbon — the color associated with prostate cancer awareness — on their uniform to show support. At the end of the month, all donations and proceeds raised will be given to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

“As someone who has lost both their father and their brother to this disease, I wanted to give our deputies an opportunity to have some fun, but to also raise money for such an important cause,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said in a news release. “I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and have regular check-ups with their physician to detect any problems early. If you see our deputies out in public looking a little less cleanshaven or you see them wearing a light blue ribbon, take the time to thank them for supporting such a worthy cause.”