Hey Afaconados,
*First, a note to my father Vernal Lynch, for whom this post is dedicated:
Daddy, no words I ever write would be sufficient enough to describe my love for you. I simply don’t think my imagination would serve me well in writing anything good enough to explain it. My whole life, you’ve inspired me and pushed me to be the best person I could be. Thank you for teaching me to appreciate the importance of words, and how to see the beauty in all things.
Isn’t it funny how life can sometimes throw you a curve ball that spirals your entire life out of control? Well if you’ve been reading with me since I started this journey, then you may remember a post I wrote around this same time last year. The post (located here) was about Movember.
Movember is a charity event that takes place every year for the entire month of November. For 30 days, men participating in the event grow a mustache without shaving for the month. The purpose of this is to help raise awareness about men’s health issues, specifically Prostate and Testicular Cancer. At the time I wrote my post, never in a million years did I think I’d find out a year later that my father had been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It was news that shocked my entire family. I’ve often heard guys joke about how they hate going to the doctor for check-ups, and I used to laugh with them about it. Now that this has hit so close to home, it’s really not funny anymore…not that it ever was.
We’re still at the beginning of November so all you men out there still have plenty of time to get involved. Please head to the website for details on how to either participate, take part in the end of the month party or to donate to the cause.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register at www.movember.com.
2. Males, start out the month clean shaven.
3. For the rest of the month men will groom, trim and wax to get the perfect mustache.
4. At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the many parties held around the world for this event.
Since I obviously can’t grow a mustache, I decided to show my support by dressing in menswear and showing off my “mock” mustache. To maintain focus on the content of this post, I will not be posting the details of this outfit. If you’d like to purchase any of the items I’m wearing, my pictures are now shoppable via my PICT page located HERE. The pictures I post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest are also shoppable.
Here’s my look:
*Photos taken by Richard Glass
Although Movember is a fun event to take part in, it highlights a very important topic. Cancer, is VERY serious. Men, please get yourselves tested as soon as possible and begin getting regular check-ups to ensure you stay cancer free. Ladies, we can help out by encouraging our brothers, sons, boyfriends, friends and fathers to get regular check-ups.
My father’s cancer is too far gone to EVER be cured. Please don’t let it get to that point with you or someone you love.
Does anyone you know have Prostate or Testicular Cancer? Will any of you be participating in Movember this month?
Until next time!
Melanie Smith says
Great post! My dad is an 8-year Colon Cancer survivor. He now only has to get checked every year or other year. Initially, it was twice a year. My hubby had his first check up this year, finally! I’m glad you used your blog to highlight an important message. The ‘masculine’ outfit was icing on the cake.
Johnnalynn Lynch says
Melanie,
I’m so happy your dad made it through the fight. Sean has gotten tested but my other brothers just refuse. I need to give them some knuckle sandwiches to get them to take it more seriously. Thanks so much for your comment!
Yvonne says
Thank you for using your blog to keep others informed. I didn’t even know Movember existed! I’m glad to report another one of your brothers is getting tested during his upcoming annual physical! I’ll be sure to share this blog with my coworkers…as cliche as it may sound…sharing IS caring!
Johnnalynn Lynch says
Thank you SO much for convincing my brother to get tested. After what happened with dad, it just makes no sense to see this happen to anyone else that I love when a simple test (and maybe a little discomfort) can detect it early enough to get rid of it. Love you guys!
dahi. says
this outfit is fantastic 😀
love the moustache pics!
x
dahi
Johnnalynn Lynch says
Hello! Thank you! I thought that dressing in menswear and wearing the mustache would be a good way for me to show my support for Movember. I’m so glad you liked it!
Shannon says
You are so adorable. I love Movember and I always like watching Today and seeing Al Roker and Matt Lauer
getting so scruffy looking for a good cause.
Johnnalynn Lynch says
Hi Shannon! Thanks so much! My father is currently in his last stages of Prostate Cancer so this cause is VERY important to me. Thank you for reading it!