As you may have noticed this month, Sports Director Dan Hawk has been growing out his beard for No Shave November. He’s doing it to raise awareness of prostate cancer. It’s a disease that’s affected his own family through the passing of his grandfather and great uncle.
Dan also spent time talking about the topic with College of Idaho Athletic Director Marty Holly who is a prostate cancer survivor. Holly says screenings are vital in the fight against the cancer.
“Getting a checkup Dan can absolutely save lives. It does save lives and we as men probably don’t do as good as a job as we should,” Holly said.
Holly, who led the Yotes men’s basketball team to 10 NAIA Championship appearances and a 423-156 record during his time as coach, made a promise to his best friend who passed away from prostate cancer that he would get an annual checkup.
“If you’re 45 years old, you got a core group of friends, five or six people that you’re close to, make a bond with that group that you will check on each other. Have you had your checkup this year? To me that is a pretty good way to do it.”
According to the American Cancer Society about one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Dan has set up a fundraising page through the No Shave November Foundation to help raise awareness. You can find more information about that by clicking here.
