# 5 Manuary--Beards for Babies

My husband is in his medical residency at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and every year they hold a fundraiser they named "Beards for Babies". It is more affectionately called "Manuary". For the last three years, B and his co-workers have grown out their facial hair for Manuary. I often remind my husband that I'm the best wife ever because I let him marry me during Manuary. Let's just say that the kind of beards they grow don't make for very good wedding photos. Ha! Since my husband is an over achiever, he has been starting the beard-growing in November to get the most gnarly facial hair for someone to mess with. What happens is these beards get auctioned off to the highest bidder and the winner gets to decide how the beard (sometimes other hair as seen in the *gag* pictures) can be shaved and decorated.  My husband's beard got bought by an attending who must like Wolverine.  His before and after photos are below.  He and I tag-teamed the taping of the butter knives in an easy to grab fashion.  Not an easy task.  I told him he wasn't allowed to walk into the bar that way.  haha!  I can only imagine the news report:  "Local pediatrician dressed as Wolverine with knives walks into a crowded downtown hang out.  More on this story at 10."  It would have made for an interesting story! :)

 

After the auction, there is a special outing to a bar downtown.  Now this isn't an out-of-the-way, no-one-will-see type place.  In fact, Manuary was scheduled for the night before but the bar had to back out of our reservation because the cast of "Nashville" bought the whole place out for the night.  You can see below the pictures of some of the beards.  Needless to say, the mankini won and I may never be able to look at Alex without my mouth filling with vomit ever again. Ha!  For the record, that is his real hair that he dyed darker for visual effect.

 

This brings me to #5 of my 30 by Thirty.  I bought a beard!  Unfortunately, the guy whose beard I bought was on call last night so no photos.  B and I are still trying to decide what we want Matt to do to his beard...any suggestions?  Hopefully, I can get his wife to take some before and after photos to share later.

This year's Beards for Babies fundraiser went to benefit Asthma Camp.  B got to work at Asthma Camp last summer and talked on and on about how fun it was.  He would have to pack different changes of clothes for the day because he could be playing football or going swimming.  It would be hard to hate your job if you got to do this kind of stuff!  Here is the link for Asthma Camp for more information:

http://www.millerharrisfoundation.org/asthma-camp-for-kids.html

Here is what their website says about the five day camp:

This unique, five-day summer camp experience includes:

• On-site medical supervision by teams of volunteer physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists is provided to help monitor the campers and teach them how to better manage their asthma with daily educational sessions.
• Camp activity staff, expertly oriented to meet the specialized needs of children with asthma, coordinates a program that includes arts and crafts, archery, hiking, games, swimming, and more.
• Campers will optimize their abilities, have fun, and learn while meeting new friends, creating lasting memories and just being a kid

Pretty cool, right?!  B wanted me to put a little information in here about asthma so here it is.  Asthma is a lung disease that can affect anyone.  It doesn't matter what your age is.  There is no cure for asthma but it can be managed with things like medication and inhalers.  According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), there are 7.1 million children in the U.S. that have asthma!  Isn't that shocking? In 2010, there were 3,404 deaths (children and adults) caused by asthma.  For more astounding facts and information, check out my sources:

http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm

Asthma can be serious business.  If you or someone you know deals with this disease, it would be wise to learn more about it.  Familiarize yourself with what to do in the event of an asthma attack or how to help prevent asthma.

Manuary is a fun thing that anyone can do for any charity.  What charity could your work place or church support in this fun way?

Hope you enjoyed!!!