Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 33 raised over $1,200 for a prostate cancer awareness campaign benefiting the Movember Foundation.

The campaign, known as “Movember,” encourages men to grow out their facial hair for 30 days during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues.

Normally not acceptable of their respective departments’ professional grooming standards, members of FOP Lodge 33 were permitted to grow mustaches that extended past the corners of the mouth or goatees to help support the cause. Participating police officers each contributed $15 towards the campaign totaling around $600, FOP Lodge 33 matched the total amount raised, bringing the overall contribution to over $1,200. 

“Men’s health issues are increasing at an alarming rate,” said Sergeant Paul Blanchard, President of FOP Lodge 33.

”We appreciate the administration allowing us to participate in the campaign this year. Donating to a cause that helps bring more awareness to conditions that could impact any one of us is something we strongly support. We look forward to growing our support of the program in the future.”

According to Movember.com, one in nine men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, after skin cancer.

For more information, visit Movember.com.