WRAL photographer part of the Movember movement to support men's health

WRAL photographer Vinnie Boccanfuso, who sports a beard and mustache year-round, got a closer shave in the month of November, part of a nationwide fund and awareness raising effort for men's health.

The Movember movement started in 2003 with a few friends, inspired by a loved one's breast cancer journey to ask men to grow a mustache to "change the face of men's health."

"The idea is to grow out a mustache to use as a conversation starter, because few men have the mustache only anymore – especially young people," Boccanfuso explained.

It has evolved into a number of challenges – the mustache, running or walking 60 miles in the month of November, hosting a "mo-ment" – participants have options all with a single goal: To start a conversation about men's health.

Those conversations lead to fundraising, and to date, Movember has enrolled millions of people around the world and raised almost $100 million.

Boccanfuso hopes to raise $500, and he had pledged to walk or run 100 miles during the month of November. You can donate online.

He says, "I do think talking about it is important, and it seems like a good time to talk about it."