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GETTYSBURG, Pa. – As fall progresses, many spring student-athletes are taking time off to relax and train for the upcoming season. However, several men's lacrosse teams, including Gettysburg College, are using the time to help out for a good cause.

They are participating in “Mustache Madness,” a month-long celebration of the mustache highlighting a major men's health issue, prostate cancer.

Money raised by the event will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Prostate Cancer Foundation will use the money to fund research into better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.

Participants raise money by having people sponsor their mustache throughout November. After starting the month with a shaven face, their mustaches are allowed to flourish.

Anyone looking to donate can go to www.stashmadness.org, click on “Donate”, which is on the left of the screen. From there they can choose anyone on the team by double-clicking on their name. Afterwards they can use a credit card to sponsor someone's mustache.

Major Division I programs at the University of Virginia and Brown University appear to be spearheading the lacrosse campaign. But in the early stages of the event, Gettysburg has surged to the lead in terms of money raised.

Each team hopes to raise around $1,000 for the organization. This will equate to each player raising $25-$30. Gettysburg's total now stands at $2040.

“People are always looking for an excuse to grow some goofy facial hair. The fact that it's for a good cause and pretty easy to do makes it better,” said junior long-stick midfielder Tommy Barnett.

Gettysburg's team is already deeply involved in several philanthropic activities. Head coach Hank Janczyk said he has the team involved in raising money for the Special Olympics and a local food drive. In addition, he hopes to have the team run a free lacrosse clinic this spring in Long Island, N.Y.

The facts at hand about these health issues are sobering. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in six men will get prostate cancer in their lives. Men also have a 35 percent higher chance of getting it than women do of getting breast cancer.

“If you look around your locker room, according to the statistics, six or seven guys on your team will be directly affected,” said Adam Ghitelman, a junior goalie for the University of Virginia.

Although the event addresses a serious problem for young men, the participants will not lose sight of the lighter side of the event.

Several teams are planning to celebrate the event with a party. Teams are planning “Mustachio Bashio” parties that only players who have sported mustaches will be allowed to attend.

As Danno Lynch, a senior midfielder at Gettysburg College said, in addition to helping out for a good cause, “What prize is better than a sweet mustachio bashio party?”