Community Corner
'Movember' to Remember: Mustache Fundraiser Recalls Teacher's Namesake
West Deptford teacher Mike Seeley spent the month growing 'a ridiculous mustache' in tribute to his late father, and to help raise awareness of men's health issues.
Mike Seeley says his students are unaccustomed to seeing the normally full-bearded high school teacher with a smooth mug.
"My students tell me I look about 10 years younger when I shave my beard," he said.
But those who've followed along for the past three years know that when the beard comes off, it's for a good reason.
Seeley is one of many participants in the annual Movember Foundation fundraiser, a global cancer awareness movement that invites men to grow a mustache only for the month of November—no beards, no goatees.
Seeley and his friends and family members participate in honor of his late father, "Big Mike" Seeley, who perished at age 54 to intestinal cancer.
"It was tough on my brother and me, and we'd been looking to do something in his honor and memory," Seeley told Patch in an e-mail.
"When we came across the Movember Foundation, it seemed like an ideal situation because Dad always wore a moustache," he said.
Seeley said he hopes that Movember gains enough momentum that mustaches will become as prevalent in November as pink ribbons, the symbol of breast cancer awareness, are in October.
He said that losing his father six years ago "really opened my eyes" to the importance of regular screenings to the early detection of cancer. This is Seeley's first time participating in Movember as a father as well, "so it's made me especially aware," he said.
This year, the Collingswood native has already raised nearly $2,000 through his Movember donation page, a total that has been supported by the West Deptford High School Photography Club and Gay/Straight Alliance.
"They've created a 'mustache photo booth,' in which students can don fake 'staches and accessories and have their photo taken for a donation," Seeley said. "The donations will all be added to our giant mustache and sent to the foundation at the end of the week."
His coworkers have also pitched in, with contributions from staff Jeans Day this week supporting the Foundation.
"The support from the students and staff at the high school has really been unbelievable," Seeley said, "especially since they have to put up with this ridiculous mustache I'm growing as it is."
Want to support Team Big Mike Seeley? Donate here.
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