The popular charity effort called Movember and No-Shave November kicked-off this month to raise awareness about men's health programs.

"Movember" and "No-Shave November" are two different campaigns that involve growing facial hair for 30 days. These programs are meant to increase cancer awareness and raise vital funds for serious men's health issues.

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The No-Shave November movement encourages both men and women to donate money to the American Cancer Society for a month instead of purchasing shaving and grooming products or services.

This campaign advocates that embrace their beards in honor of the people that lost their hair during cancer treatments, according to the no-shave webpage.

No-Shave November's goal is "to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle."

In 2003, however, the Movember Foundation, a leading global organization that challenges men to grow a moustache, began a campaign in Australia to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancers.

According to the organization's website, the movement has grown globally and the nonprofit has "raised $559 million to date and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries."

The campaign is all about the moustache and "use the power of the moustache to create conversations about men's health and to raise funds," the website added.

"What we're asking them to do is participate by changing their appearance. What that fosters is a conversation," said Movember's U.S. Director Mark Hedstrom.

"This year, the U.S. Movember campaign will also include men's mental health and men's fitness," Hedstrom added.

TagsMovember, No-Shave November, cancer awareness, American Cancer Society, prostate cancer