In November, I often see a strange scene in the company elevator. My usually clean-shaven male colleagues are starting to grow awkward mustaches.

When I first came to the U.S., I honestly wondered why everyone was doing this. In Korean culture, mustaches are considered a bit of a burden in terms of style. It's standard to go to interviews clean-shaven.

But it turns out this isn't just a fashion trend. It's called Movember, a blend of the word moustache and November.

Curious, I looked into its origins. I found it surprisingly humble and a bit amusing.

According to Movember's records, it started in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. Two friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, came up with the idea as a joke over drinks.

They joked about where all the mustaches had gone and decided to bring them back into style. Thus, 30 friends took on the challenge of growing mustaches.

Later, Adam Garone and Justin Coghlan joined in, registered the company, and created a website. That was the moment the joke turned into an organization.

The cause they chose to support was prostate cancer. They decided on this after looking into men's health issues.

According to Wikipedia, the first event, which started with 30 participants, grew to nearly 500 the following year. They reportedly raised over $40,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation in Australia.

Movember officially landed in the U.S. in 2007. It began in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and gained charity status in 2009.

Interestingly, there's even a nickname for participants. Men growing mustaches are called Mo Bros, which seems to foster a sense of belonging.

Currently, they focus on three areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Prostate and testicular cancers only affect men, so Movember emphasizes these issues. I think including mental health is quite significant.

Men, especially those from the older generation, often endure pain and delay going to the doctor. Many of us have seen someone put off a visit for a year or two, insisting they're fine or too busy. They're even less likely to talk about mental struggles.

The mustache serves as a conversation starter. When someone asks, "Why are you growing a mustache?" it naturally leads to discussions about health.

I was impressed by this aspect. From a marketing perspective, it's like creating walking billboards for free.

The numbers are even more astonishing. Movember's official website states that they have supported men's health initiatives with over AUD 1.8 billion to date.

According to their financial reports, they raised AUD 137.2 million globally in the fiscal year ending April 30, 2024. That's quite a scale for a joke among 30 friends.

As someone who tends to look at numbers first due to my industry, I found this part the most interesting. The transparency in specifying the fiscal year and disclosing amounts adds to their credibility.

Many people confuse it with No-Shave November. The names and timing are similar, leading many to think they are the same.

No-Shave November involves growing not just mustaches but also beards. In contrast, Movember focuses solely on mustaches.

Another difference is the donation structure. No-Shave November typically involves participants donating to a charity of their choice, while Movember channels funds through its foundation to support men's health projects.

So if you see a colleague sporting a bushy mustache, feel free to ask which campaign they're participating in. That's exactly the kind of conversation these campaigns aim to spark.

What about those of us who can't grow facial hair? Participating in Movember doesn't only mean growing a mustache.

You can make a small donation on a colleague or family member's page, or form a team to fundraise together. The most accurate way to find out how to participate is by checking movember.com.

In fact, I think the most practical way to participate is to ensure the men in your life schedule their health check-ups.

In places like Iowa City, where the November winds turn chilly, everyone tends to huddle indoors until the end of the year. It would be wise to book an appointment before then.

The type of tests needed varies based on age and family history. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.

Initially, I thought it was just a silly trend, but I realized the design behind it is quite clever. It starts with laughter and ends with a doctor's appointment.

I appreciate this approach. Sometimes, a colleague's awkward mustache can be more effective than a hundred government campaigns.

So this November, if you see an awkward mustache at work, don't just tease; say something. That conversation might lead someone to schedule a check-up.