Wranglers grow mustaches for charity

By Mytae Carrasco

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 | midnight

The Las Vegas Wranglers are growing their mustaches and it's not to stay warm while playing on the ice.

Fifteen players agreed to participate in Movember, which is an international movement for men to grow their "mo's," Australian slang for mustache, to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

The month of "Movember" is supposed to serve as a reminder for men to be aware of prostate health issues, specifically cancer.

"I just think that as a guy myself more guys should be aware of this," said Josh Fisher, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Las Vegas Wranglers. "I think with our audience dealing with hockey teams and hockey fans, we definitely cover a large male audience."

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"I think that there are so many different forms of cancer that people should be aware of all of them," Fisher added. "The funny thing is, is that guys don't like talking about prostate cancer or the process of checking for it."

Prostate cancer recently hit a bit too close to home for one Wranglers employee.

Equipment Manager Brian Garcia recently found out that his uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"You hear the word cancer and it is someone that you care about. It cuts down deep you're almost in panic mode," Garcia said. "I don't get out to the doctor that much but it's in the family and its something you have to be just a little bit more aware of. I see myself being a little bit more cautious about myself in this matter."

About 2 million American men have prostate cancer. Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms and is most commonly detected through prostate cancer screening tests such as the PSA blood test and digital rectal exam.

The Wranglers are hosting Prostate Cancer Awareness Weekend on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, when they face the Idaho Steelheads at the Orleans Arena. US TOO, a local prostate cancer support group, Studio Blue and the Prostate Cancer Foundation will co-sponsor the event.

By holding the event the Wranglers hope to shed more light on prostate cancer and encourage men to go to the doctor for examinations.

"I think if our big tough hockey guys can do stuff like this to help benefit (prostate cancer awareness) I think it should be in every man's best interest to get themselves checked whenever it's time and to follow along with whatever they need to because it's actually a pretty serious thing," Fisher said. "There is not enough attention or enough light brought to it and there should be."

The first 2,000 fans who attend Friday's game against Idaho will be given fake mustaches. Wrangler fans can sponsor their favorite "mo"-growing hockey players by making a donation to the team's Movember Web page.

The players also will be wearing light blue helmets both game nights, which is the official color of prostate cancer.

Individual players will autograph the game-worn helmets after the game and will be auctioned off in a silent auction. Fans who make the highest bids will be able to take home their favorite players' signed helmets. Proceeds from the auction will go to the US TOO prostate cancer education and support organization. The funds raised by the players growing their mustaches goes to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

For more information, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation Web site.