As the month of “Movember” comes close to an end, Qatar residents are being invited to several events this weekend to help raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues.

Movember, a combination of the words “November” and “mustache,” marks an annual international charity initiative that draws attention to cancers affecting men.

Guys who participate in the awareness drive agree to start off the month clean-shaved, and then grow a “Mo” over the next 30 days in exchange for sponsor contributions. Women who offer support to their loved ones are called “Mo Sistas.”

In Qatar, residents have been observing the “grow a mo” tradition for years. But friends Kevin D’Arco and Evan Witt have been trying to raise the bar this year by organizing a series of events here to officially mark the month.

Speaking to Doha News, D’Arco said:

“Movember’s goals are for people to have conversations that lead to greater awareness and understanding of the health risks that men face, men taking action to remain well and when for men to know what to do when they’re sick. There are also focuses on mental well being, life as a cancer survivor and fitness.”

Though Movember is almost over, he added that “it’s never too late to start growing your own mustache and raise some money.”

This weekend, there will be a series of gala parties to fundraise for the cause, including at Trader Vic’s, California Tortilla, the W Doha and the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

More information can be found on Twitter and on Movember Doha’s Facebook page, which explains the point of the mo this way:

“Which ever way we look at it, men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy for men is five years less than females…

Men lack awareness about the very real health issue they face, have an attitude that they have to be tough – ‘a real man’ and are reluctant to see a doctor about an illness or to go for regular medical checks. The aim of Movember is to change these attitudes, make male health fun by putting the Mo (moustache) back on the face of fashion and in the process raise some serious funds for men’s health issues.”

Thoughts?