Dear Smashville, I have good news and bad news.

The good news first: The Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon, presented by Philips Norelco, broke the $10,000 mark! That's no small feat, and I'd like to thank everyone who has joined or pledged to the cause. For those just tuning in, funds raised through this campaign will benefit the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. You have taken a stand against cancer.

Unfortunately, there's some bad news. As I write this, the Predators rank just seventh among teams participating in the Beard-a-Thon. We're currently behind the Washington Capitals and ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers. The St. Louis Blues, meanwhile, have raised over twice as much as we have, and they only rank fourth! We've got to have a better showing.

So, citizens of Smashville, I implore you. If you haven't joined the Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon yet, sign up today and start (or continue) growing. Here's how: Follow this link and look for the "Sign Up and Grow" button in the bottom left corner.

So far, only 179 people are participating. That's just 1 percent of a Predators sellout crowd. And of that group, 69 have raised money. While that's an impressive average of almost $150 per beard, imagine if we multiplied that by hundreds more growers who solicited funds from friends and family. And that's not to say that you have to raise $150—I mean look at me, I remain at $20. Just sign up and do your best. The battle against cancer needs every dollar it can get.

But if you still need some incentive to join, the Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon is starting a weekly contest today, April 19. Through next Wednesday, April 25, the individual who raises the most funds in the Predators Beard-a-Thon will win an autographed Predators prize valued at $250-$300. Not bad for growing a beard, huh?

I hope you'll join me in participating. And for anyone who pledges toward my beard (you can do so on my Beard-a-Thon profile page), you'll get a big public thank you right here on the blog.

Neckbeard Update: The neckbeard lives! If you read my previous blog post, you know the itch was giving me second thoughts about keeping the lower portion of my beard. But I decided to stick with a full beard for a couple of reasons.

First, as I said, I'm a purist and don't feel right shaving a portion of my playoff beard. The Predators are up 3-1 against Detroit in their Western Conference Quarterfinal series and who am I to toy with that by altering my facial shrine to the Preds' postseason?

And of course there were the great comments from several of you. The most compelling came from Joshua Pickens: "Don't you dare shave it!" For the rest of you who commiserated with my itching, I hope your beard itch is subsiding. Mine sure is. Or maybe it's just the salve of a few big playoff wins.

Keep growing!