A BRAVE Irvine teen is on a mission to raise funds and spread awareness amid his own cancer battle.
Joshua Docherty launched his Movember campaign just weeks following his testicular cancer diagnosis.
In August this year, the 18-year-old rugby player discovered that one of his testicles was swollen, initially assuming it was a result of a knock whilst playing the sport.
However, as pain and swelling increased over the coming weeks he spoke to his parents about the problem.
Joshua then attended hospital and was later sent for a scan before being informed there was a "95 per cent chance" it was cancer.
In the middle of last month, he then had his right testicle removed with testing showing non-seminoma cancer as well as a mixture of an embryonal and yolk sac tumour.
It was something which Joshua, who was due to attend the Beatson Cancer Centre to discuss next steps this week, says came as a real shock.
He said: "I didn’t think that this was something that would happen to me. I thought testicular cancer only happened to older men.
"It’s been a scary experience especially with having surgery and how quickly it all came about.
"After losing my gran to cancer last year, it has affected my full family. Everyone has been very supportive and we’ve pulled together as a family."
However, the teenager has now set his sights on using his battle to support others and spread a positive message.
At the beginning of this month he said goodbye to his beard and started a Movember effort - with a JustGiving page launched in a bid to raise funds for Checkemlads.com Testicular Cancer Awareness and Support.
Joshua's JustGiving page is available online here
Joshua added: "I have seen multiple rugby teams in our area taking part in Movember every year and with what was happening to me this inspired me to take part.
"My aim was to raise as much money as I could with an initial goal of £200. It has now exceeded that and I have raised over £1,000.
"I also wanted to raise awareness of testicular cancer in young men, especially with having a younger brother who is also in the age bracket which is most likely to get this type of cancer.
"I want to try and raise as much awareness of this cancer as I can. It’s not talked about as much as other cancers and I feel it’s a subject that needs to be discussed more with young men."
The 18-year-old has been overwhelmed with the support his efforts have received so far from across the local area.
He continued: "The support has been a bit overwhelming, especially with a former Scotland rugby player Gordon Reid donating a signed All Blacks top to be raffled off.
"I also have had support from Billy’s Barbers in Irvine. Billy shaved my beard and moustache off for free, it was streamed on Facebook and they made a donation of £40."
While the PE department at Joshua's former school, Irvine Royal Academy, have also got behind his efforts - launching a Movember campaign in support of him.
The teacher's fundraising page is available online here
Teacher Rory Couper said: "Myself and the Irvine Royal PE department decided to support Movember again this year but what has made it extra close to our hearts this year, was the diagnosis of testicular cancer to one of our ex-students Joshua Docherty.
"Joshua has been going through treatment and has been doing great raising awareness and funds through his JustGiving page, but we wanted to do our bit.
"Joshua was part of our School of Rugby at Irvine Royal and as a Rugby Ambassador supported my delivery of the programme while he was in S6 and when he left school during his college education.
"As the lead of the School of Rugby at Irvine Royal and having known the family for so long, I thought if there was anything we could do to raise awareness of testicular cancer in young men, the stigma attached to this, the effects on mental health and hopefully raise a bit of cash at the same time, it was the least we could do."
The PE department have also looked to encourage further donations through various efforts beyond their moustaches.
Mr Couper was able to secure a signed Scotland rugby top from this year's autumn series, which everyone who donates has a chance to win.
This has encouraged the Irvine Royal's current School of Rugby players to do some fund raising and later they are hoping to run their first teachers v pupils touch rugby match.
"The pupils are doing all the organisation and they are hopeful that all money raised they can donate towards Joshua’s JustGiving page," Mr Couper added.
"So far, the support has been great from the school community giving generously, be we are eager to at least double what we have done so already.
"Remember I am walking about with a dodgy moustache, so I want to make it worthwhile raising as much as we can."
Joshua added: "I wasn’t expecting the support from my former teachers but it has been awesome."
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