Teenage cancer survivors get post-lockdown lift with Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
Young people, who have been treated for cancer at The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital, enjoyed three days of sailing with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust from Plymouth Yacht Haven, as the Trust aims to transform more young lives this summer.
13 young people, aged between 9 and 27, took part in three days of sailing between 3-5 August. Each group of young people were joined by a Trust crew of volunteers and a skipper who taught them to raise the sails and helm the 44ft yacht.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust inspires young people aged 8-24 to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. For many young people, picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible. So, when treatment ends, the Trust’s work begins.
The hospitals’ sailing days were part of the Trust’s ‘Taste of the Trust’ programme in response to the ongoing pandemic for 2021. Instead of the usual four-day sailing trips the young people would typically be invited on, these regional one-day events take the Trust to the young people and are organised to be as COVID secure as possible.
The hope is the young people enjoyed their day so much they will be inspired to return to the Trust for the full experience next year.
Rebecca Stranex from Newton Abbot was 10 when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Now 14, she reveals lockdown was “initially quite painful as I had to self-isolate for a bit and it was hard to keep up with all the school work”.
But she admits: “Having this was a nice positive outcome at the end of it.”
Through the Trust’s sailing and outdoor activities, young people build confidence by making friends with others who have had similar experiences - often for the first time, rediscover independence away from home and outside of their ‘cancer bubble’ and begin to realise what they are capable of again. Most importantly they stop feeling like the ‘only one’.
The Trust believes every young person should feel valued, accepted, optimistic and independent. Through Trust support, their mental wellbeing improves, and they can start to re-establish their place in the world by getting back into education or employment and reconnecting with their friends and families.
The isolation, loneliness and anxiety experienced by young people with cancer has been massively amplified by the pandemic and lockdown. That is why they need the Trust more than ever right now.
As Lorraine Beddard, a Clinical Liaison Nurse at the Teenage Cancer Trust has seen first-hand. She said: “It’s been an anxious scary time for many young people, frustrating for others, reassuring/comforting for some to know their friends are isolating too not just them and they are missing less social activities.
“Peer support has been on hold during COVID, not many young people have engaged with virtual support, going on the sailing day provides them with a chance to meet peers in a safe and fun environment.”
Rebecca adds: “It was really nice to be back with people and meet different people as well, especially those that have had the same experience as you, it’s just so nice to be back with people again.”
This year Children in Need generously provided funding to support young people aged 8 – 17 to attend the charities regional Taste of the Trust Days in England taking the place of the usual 4-day trips.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust was founded by the record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman in 2003. It is there for anyone who is struggling or could simply do with a bit of support, however long off treatment they are. Visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @emctrust on social media.
