MOUSTACHES of all shapes, sizes and densities have emerged on top lips across east Surrey to mark Movember – a month-long event raising cash for, and awareness of, men's health issues.
But for one 28-year-old, the annual facial hair challenge has taken on a meaning he could never have predicted six months ago.
Jay Hughes, from Alders Road, Reigate, was diagnosed with testicular cancer on June 1. After surgery and nine weeks of chemotherapy, he has beaten the disease, but it has given him a whole new perspective on life, and made him determined to spread the Movember message.
Twenty friends joined his "mo" challenge and will mark its climax with a fundraising party at the Venture Inn in Lesbourne Road tomorrow (Friday).
"I've never particularly wanted to do Movember before," said Mr Hughes, a web developer. "I didn't want to embarrass myself, but now it's above anything else, it means so much to me."
Within days of noticing a rapid physical change in his testicles, Jay when to his GP. A week later, he underwent surgery. Further scans showed the cancer had spread to a lymph node in his kidneys but after nine weeks of chemotherapy, he has been given the all clear.
"You do get the whole 'why me?' thing," said Mr Hughes, who plays for Reigate Athletic Football Club. "It was good for me that I met people along the way – when I was having chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden – whose suffering made mine pale into insignificance.
"I count myself really lucky, that I was healthy enough to deal with what happened. In hospital I sat opposite a guy a year older than me with exactly the same thing. He had left it for a month or so before going to the doctor, and it had spread to his lungs.
"Now I feel it's my responsibility to tell other people, and encourage other people to do the right thing.
"When I found out it was cancer, it was a shock. I am a young guy and at the end of the day you don't ever think it is going to be you.
"It's just not something that is on your radar. It is such a wake-up call to dudes. It can happen."
"In male environments, it can become a bit of a thing where guys are embarrassed or maybe not willing to be open about it," he added.
"It's the same with prostate cancer – guys will just not deal with it. The most important thing is, if you have any kind of doubt, go and see your GP."
Jay's team has already raised more than £1,500.
Their party at the Venture Inn is open to all. It will feature live music and ceremonial moustache-shaving. To sponsor them go to uk.movember.com and search for Venture Inn Reigate.
