No Shave November Raises Awareness for Men’s Health

Along with gray shorts and Oxford shirts, a clean-shaven face has always been part of the St. Mark’s dress code. But in support of a good cause, exceptions can be made. Throughout the month of November, Upper School students were allowed to purchase a “No Shave November” wristband to exempt themselves from shaving and to raise both money and support for testicular cancer awareness and research.

 

“Seeing students with ridiculous facial hair, from full beards to the scraggly stubble, is an amazing thing because I know that all of those students are dedicated to helping the cause,” said Student Council President Carrington Kyle ’15.

 

Driving home the importance of men’s health awareness, Elliot Chang-Tung ’10 spoke at Upper School assembly about his personal battle with testicular cancer. Elliot was diagnosed during his senior year at St. Mark’s and underwent treatment that has resulted in him being cancer-free for the last four years. 

 

Elliot’s visit certainly hit a chord with students. “I think Elliot's talk really made the cause more personal,” Carrington said. “We did not know that this type of cancer could strike in the student body as it did with Elliot, and I think his account really motivated students to help out.”

 

To date, the boys have raised more than $2,000 for the American Cancer Society for Testicular Cancer Research.