🎗️All Childhood & Adolescent Cancer's, immune disorders and non-cancerous tumors are hard to come to terms with for many. But once treatment ends, people do not automatically become 'better'. Many and myself included, find that they have an overwhelming amount of healing to do - emotionally and physically - and like with anything, it all takes time. 

As I have learnt over the past five years, is that it is important to recognise that it is okay to take this time, you are not alone, and there are many trusts available to help you through the process: Clic Sargent, Star Light Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust and of course The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and many more. 

Please donate & support my 11 mile swim of Windermere as it would mean a heck of a lot to The EMCT and I, as well as all the young people who are under their wing. By donating, you are aiding future events, a variety of trips, well-being support and so much more. If you would like more information about the trust and the incredible work they do with young people I will include a link to their webpage: 

💙https://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/ 💙

🦋My Story: 

I was diagnosed with LCH (Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis) in the Autumn of 2015 and started the years course of chemotherapy and steroids a few weeks later. 

2016, the year all my experiences became reality. All throughout my treatment I was unable to provide the necessary space for my own mental health and well-being, due to the need of being in a constant state of 'fight mode'. This, of course, resulted in the development of a deeply negative relationship with myself. My self confidence, body image positivity, mental well-being and presence of self love had dropped significantly which massively impacted my social life as well as education; resulting in me retaking a full academic year.

Summer 2017, was a summer of those golden nuggets in life where you have to constantly keep pinching yourself for reassurance that you are consciously present within this living dream. I was fortunate enough to go on my first trip with EMCT, which in a bubble was a few dreamlike days that will quintessentially remain with me for the rest of my life. For the first time since finishing treatment, and not having my wig to hand as a 'safety net', I was able to meet other young people - who were literally in the same boat as me! 

Through the rituals of Uno and the many conversations I had, I was able to connect with these wondrous people on a deeper and more meaningful level, delving into a previously unexplored language that was originally not accessible for me prior to EMCT. 

For myself, and many other young people who have experienced and are still experiencing, or even are about to experience, events in their lives that very few can relate to on a personal level - it is so so important to be able to have an open space, allowing people to feel comfortable and to come to terms with everything they have faced or are about to face. 

This space is one of the many many things that the EMCT provides - not only during their trips, but all year round. This is why I am swimming Windermere. As it so incredibly important to support, help fund, and make as many people as possible, aware of the work the trust provides for young people. 

Following my first trip, I have spent every summer with EMCT and have used each trip as a 'telos' - an end goal, to get through each academic year. In my eyes, and others, it is our 'LightHouse'. 

Now 19, with half a decade without a relapse, and two more years left of remission, I have recently finished my A-levels and am extremely excited for my final trip with EMCT as a young person. After this years trip, I want to train to become a 'Graduate Volunteer'. I hope to help make those daunting conversations a little bit easier for future young people who choose to come to the trust. 

Thank you so much, 

Em :)🦋