By Angela Ruggiero
East Bay Times
LIVERMORE, Calif. — Alex Mengell smiled with his freshly clean-shaven face.
On Thursday, he joined about 100 Alameda County firefighters in support of a “Movember” shave-off party, a popular event meant to bring awareness to men’s health and to support cancer research.
Mengell, 37, had just finished chemotherapy the day before. The shave-off party at the Livermore Barbershop was in honor of him.
“It just shocks me,” he said. “It’s pretty amazing that they’re doing this.”
Firefighters from mostly the Alameda County Fire Department and others from Livermore-Pleasanton, Hayward and Oakland grew mustaches for the “no shave November” event, and shaved them off Thursday in Livermore. While the services were free, participants made donations to the American Cancer Society. Mengell also received a check from a class at a recent fire academy.
Mengell was diagnosed with brain cancer in May and by June, had already undergone surgery to remove the tumor. The father and husband who has been with his fire department since 2008 took time off from his duties for his most recent treatment, but remained in good spirits Thursday.
Inside the barbershop, his fellow firefighters shaved off handlebar mustaches, goatees, soul patches and other varieties of facial hair. In one case, a female firefighter shaved some hair on her head.
“Movember is all about conversation and men’s health awareness,” said firefighter Brian Centoni. “We feel privileged to be firefighters, and to support our brother Alex.”
Capt. Ryan Davis, who oversees Mengell at Station 24, said a high number of firefighters are diagnosed with cancer because of the kind of work they do. Even though firefighters are regulated by what the facial hair they can have for safety purposes, Davis said they allow firefighters a little leeway in November.
@AlamedaCoFire Firefighter shaves off his ‘stache for a cancer charity event in #Livermore for a fellow firefighter pic.twitter.com/unRIOP3WEZ
— Angela E. Ruggiero (@Aeruggie) December 1, 2016
“It’s good to see the unity of our brothers coming together for this cause,” Davis said. “It’s more than just here; we want to bring awareness.”
Firefighter Joshua Leines helped organize the event, the first of its kind for the Livermore department. Although firefighters in the past have grown out their mustaches for no-shave November, the turnout this year was much more.
“It just really hits close to home,” Leines said.
Barbershop owner Jerome Fahnhorst was approached by Leines for the event two months ago, and immediately agreed. Although he didn’t personally know Mengell, he donated the space, plus beverages and donuts, and about five hours worth of employees time.
“I’m always up for a good cause,” said Fahnhorst, adding that he, too, planned to shave off his facial hair in support of Mengell.
The barbershop opened around the time Mengell was diagnosed and offers old-school services such as a traditional shave and hot towel service.
The event runs until 3 p.m. at the Livermore Barbershop. Questions about how to donate can be emailed to acffagolf@gmail.com.
Copyright 2016 the Contra Costa Times