Mid Penn Bank raises $341,000 during No Shave November

November was a month for raising funds for — and awareness of — prostate cancer and ongoing research.

For the eighth consecutive year, Mid Penn Bank held its annual No Shave November campaign to support the Department of Urology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

This year’s effort set a record.

The bank, in partnership with Penn State Health, raised $341,000 for the department. All donations benefit prostate cancer research, screening and outreach performed by the department, which is led by Dr. Jay D. Raman.

During the month, employees of the bank and Penn State Health ditched their razors to grow out their facial or body hair in an effort to promote conversations about prostate cancer and the campaign.

“Since 2016, Mid Penn Bank and Penn State Health have teamed up during the month of November to raise funds for prostate cancer research to help fight this formidable disease that affects 1 in 8 men,” Rory G. Ritrievi, Mid Penn Bank president and CEO, said in a statement. “The campaign has grown exponentially, and we couldn’t be more proud of its contribution to the groundbreaking research being performed by my dear friend, Dr. Raman, and his incredible team of physicians.”

This year, 23 businesses and organizations throughout Mid Penn’s geographic footprint joined the campaign. Community organizations created No Shave November-themed products and donated a portion of the sales to the campaign, contributing more than $23,000 to this year’s total, according to the release.

“Our community partners made a huge impact on our No Shave November total this year,” Ritrievi added. “Knowing that the important work done by Dr. Raman and his team directly benefits the folks in our communities, we are truly grateful for their support and generosity.”

This year’s record-breaking donation topped 2022’s fundraising efforts that resulted in a $221,000 donation, which was also a record single-year donation.

Since its inception, the campaign has contributed more than $950,000 to fund prostate cancer research, with the support from employees and partners of both organizations.

In September, Mid Penn Bank committed to leading the campaign for four years, building on the success of previous efforts. The goal of the multiyear commitment is to raise a total of $1.1 million by 2026 under Ritrievi’s leadership. With this year’s result, the bank is on track to meet and likely exceed that commitment, officials said.

To honor the bank’s commitment to fundraising, Penn State Health recently named the second-floor outpatient clinic at Penn State Cancer Institute the Mid Penn Bank Outpatient Clinic.

In addition to supporting research, the money raised during the annual drive helps provide free prostate cancer screenings, supports work by the department to underserved areas regionally and nationally, and makes available educational conferences for patients and health care professionals.

No Shave November is a signature Mid Penn Bank fundraising initiative. Ritrievi previously told MediaNews Group that the company’s efforts have grown from employees making donations to an effort that includes fundraisers, special events and community partnerships.

Headquartered in Millersburg, Mid Penn Bank operates 49 branches in 17 Pennsylvania counties, including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Montgomery and Schuylkill.