Kirkland Firefighters Sprout Fuzzy Upper Lips for "Movember" Fundraiser

Kirkland firefighters are suddenly sporting mustaches -- some good, some barely there and some downright creepy -- in a "Movember" competition against their Eastside counterparts to draw attention to the fight against cancers that affect primarily men.

Movember is a global fundraising campaign and competition in which many men grow mustaches during the month of November, and raise money that goes directly to programs of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Kirkland and other Eastside firefighters have joined the campaign -- it is no coincidence that studies show firefighters are far more likely than the general population to suffer from prostate cancer, testicular cancer, multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Kirkland’s first responders are officially participating this year for the first time, and reaching out to the community to help them raise more money than participating Redmond, Bellevue and Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters.

The effort culminates locally in a party on Nov. 30, 6 p.m. at the pub, with prizes going to the firefighters with the best mustache, creepiest mustache and most money raised.

“Our goal is to raise enough awareness this year to have a larger competition next year,” said Kevin Martin, a firefighter/EMT based at Rose Hill’s Fire Station 26. “What we want is to pit Eastside vs. westside (Seattle), and just get more awareness out at the local level.”

The public is welcome to attend the celebration at the Wilde Rover.

“A cheering section, an audience, would be great,” said Martin. “The Eastside Pipe and Drums will be there too.”

In the meantime, Kirkland’s “Mo Bros,” as they call themselves, are asking the community to please consider making a donation to the effort via their “Mo Space” page at https://www.movember.com/us/donate/your-details/team_id/376054 .