Men mix fundraising and facial hair
As of Tuesday afternoon, a Newport Beach Movember team has raised more money than any other U.S. team, making it the organization’s second-highest fundraiser globally.
Led by “Coach” John Cornuke, a Costa Mesa native who now lives in Newport Beach, Team Nuclear’s 170 members have raised $85,192, which puts them ahead of the 12,908 other American teams.
By growing mustaches from Nov. 1 to 30, the men raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer.
Team Nuclear’s success has gained a national following since being founded in Newport, Cornuke said.
“We’ve gotten people from Connecticut, Maryland, San Francisco, Denver,” he said.
He added that some Movember participants from last year decided to join his team’s ranks in a “if we can’t beat you, let’s join you” mentality.
Team Nuclear’s goal this year is to raise $125,000.
“We’ve got 60% of our goal even before the midway point,” he said.
Last year, the team raised $98,000 — the third highest for an American team and the eighth highest in the world, Cornuke said.
Ulich & Terry LLP, a Newport Beach law firm, has also joined the Movember effort.
Firm partner James Ganion leads the six-member Mown It, which so far has raised about $7,600. The team’s website is mobro.co/MownIt.
“Every time I appear in court or at a deposition, I get grief for having a mustache,” Ganion said in an email. “But then I can start a dialogue about Movember and men’s cancer, and hopefully do my small part to raise awareness and moneys to help fight this horrific disease.”
Added attorney Jason Feld, a fellow Mown It team member, “I’ve been accused of impersonating a beat cop, and my daughters’ friends give me strange looks, but having an upper-lip sweater help to fight cancer makes it worth it.”
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Team Nuclear’s upcoming fundraisers
Team Nuclear’s next fundraiser is a poker tournament Thursday at Newport Rib Co., 2196 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. The buy-in for Mo Poker Night is $100.
Check-in begins at 6 p.m., with “power appetizers” at 6:30. The cards will be dealt from 7 to 11, with prizes to the top five winners.
To register for Mo Poker Night, email thejteam@gmail.com.
Cornuke said a visiting firefighter from Georgia saw Team Nuclear’s story in the Daily Pilot, went home and now his whole firehouse is on the team.
An employee at Cal State Fullerton, who is a prostate cancer survivor, also read the story and will speak at the tournament.
“I thought he would be a great conduit to bring this thing to ‘this is why we’re here,’” Cornuke said.
On Nov. 28, Team Nuclear hosts its ‘Stache Clash, a golf tournament at the Newport Beach Golf Course. Each member of the four-member teams will be allowed two clubs, which cannot be shared among team members.
Registration begins at noon, with an after-party at about 5 p.m. at Rudy’s Pub and Grill, 3110 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. Organizers have set up a bus to transport golf participants to Rudy’s.
To read the complete tournament rules, register a team or attend the after-party, visit https://www.mogolf.eventbrite.com.
Team Nuclear also accepts donations at us.movember.com/team/442765.
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‘Stache Dash
As part of Movember, Fairview Park in Costa Mesa will play host to the ‘Stache Dash, where walkers and runners of all speeds and ages are welcome. The first 500 finishers wearing a mustache and the registered children from the “Peach Fuzz Kids Dash” will get a medal.
All registered participants will also get a T-shirt and goodie bag. The entry fees are $40 for the 5K beforehand, $43 on race day and $15 for the kids race.
A portion of the ‘Stache Dash benefits the USC Institute of Urology.
Organizers said facial hair, “real or fake,” is encouraged for both sexes.
A pre-registration packet is available for pickup from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Friday at Slater’s 50/50, 8082 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.bookthatevent.com/StacheDash.
Twitter: @bradleyzint
