Press release
22 July 2024
Tattoo artist Bobbie Lee is using a charity flash day at the Cambridge studios where he works to raise awareness of testicular cancer after being diagnosed with the disease at just 32 years old.
Bobbie, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November last year, underwent surgery at Addenbrooke’s in December.
He has since been given the all-clear but has regular check-ups every two months and has to return for regular blood tests and CT scans.
Although testicular cancer is rare, it is the most common cancer in men aged between 15 and 49, with around 2,400 men diagnosed each year in the UK. According to Cancer Research UK, the most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling.
Testicular symptoms to look out for include: a lump or swelling in part of one testicle; a testicle that gets bigger; a heavy scrotum; discomfort or pain in your testicle or scrotum.
All Known Tattoo Collective, a multi-award-winning tattoo studio in Hills Road, Cambridge where Bobbie works, has organised a charity flash day on Saturday 17th August, with walk-in appointments.
Seven of the team’s award-winning tattooists will be there on the day, with doors open from 10am to 6pm. Cambridge bar Vodka Revs is hosting a pop-up bar, with food, between 12 noon and 5pm, with merchandise on sale on the day.
Proceeds will go to Addenbrooke’s Hospital via Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. As the official charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie, our supporters raise funds to help make the hospitals even better by funding cutting-edge research, innovations and high-tech equipment, above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide.
Bobbie, whose cancer was diagnosed early, says he is keen to take away some of the stigma around talking about testicular cancer – and remind men to check their bodies.
“It is a little embarrassing to talk about as it is testicular cancer but I would rather talk about it than not as it is more about raising awareness. I spoke to my dad about it and he said he wouldn’t have gone to the doctor as he would have been too embarrassed but that’s why it’s important to talk about it and to remind men to check their bodies.”
Bobbie, who has one friend the same age currently undergoing treatment for testicular cancer and a second, in his 20s, who has been given the all-clear, said: “I didn’t have any of the more obvious signs like swelling or pain, I only had a little discomfort, so it’s really important to check out anything you might be worried about.”
He has been working as a tattoo artist for 14 months, describing his style as ‘colour work, neo traditional, cartoon style, with lots of ducks’, and says he now talks to his customers about his cancer too.
“I normally make jokes about it to be honest and have a bit of banter because if you are miserable about it, it’s not good. But if I am tattooing someone for a long time, it can get a little uncomfortable as you have to lean forward a bit when you tattoo so I can feel where my scar is, so I explain to customers why I need to get up and walk about.”
Bobbie’s diagnosis came after he found what he thought was a lump in his left testicle but having then been told there was nothing there he asked to be referred as he was concerned something still wasn’t right.
An ultrasound scan at Addenbrooke’s Hospital picked up something in his other testicle and on further investigations it was discovered that Bobbie did have testicular cancer. Shortly after diagnosis, Bobbie underwent surgery to remove his right testicle and he was given the all-clear.
Early diagnosis prevented him having to undergo any other forms of treatment such as chemotherapy and now Bobbie is keen to give back to Addenbrooke’s, whose staff, he said, were amazing.
“When I woke up in the recovery room after surgery, I was talking to one of the nurses and she had a few things going on in her life and she looked visibly upset and I just thought, she is still coming in to help people even though she still has her own stuff going on, so if I can raise awareness and raise some money for Addenbrooke’s at the same time that would be great.”
Studio owners Kyle Warwick and Alex Hugianu were keen to support Bobbie’s fundraising efforts and opened their studio up for a charity flash day, producing a short film to talk about Bobbie’s story and promote the day. The video can be viewed below.
Kyle, who started out as a graffiti artist before becoming a tattoo artist, gained notoriety after his tribute to British physicist, Stephen Hawking, on a permission wall in Cambridge caught the attention of local media.
He usually gets booked up five to six months in advance and has customers coming to see him from across the UK, including firefighter, Ray, who was adding Kyle’s drawing of Kasabian’s Serg on his leg after an earlier design by Kyle showcasing football manager Jürgen Klopp.
Alex, whose designs are described as ‘black and grey geometric’, started tattooing in Romania, aged 14. Welcoming the chance to give back to Addenbrooke’s she said: “We are all really excited about the charity flash day and just want to help however we can.”
Donate to the All Known Tattoo Collective Just Giving page.
If you would like to make a difference and fundraise for ACT, click here for a selection of events you can sign up to. Alternatively, email: fundraising@act4addenbrookes.org.uk
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