Emma

In 2003 Emma, from Essex, was just 12 when she was treated for Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Emma’s Mum recalls, “At the time, the whole calendar was filled up with hospital appointments and treatment. It felt like there was no room for anything else. Emma was so ill - a very ill and frail little girl.”

A year later Emma was first approached to go sailing with the Trust. For her Mum this was a daunting prospect but it proved to be the making of her.  “To let her go away with a group of strangers, to go sailing of all things, was quite frightening.  When she left for the trip she was an empty shell, but on her return, Emma had a new lease of life!”

For Emma it was life changing. “I don’t think I’d be the person I am now if I hadn’t sailed with the Trust. When I found out I had cancer my life stopped, I was just in a self-contained world of hospitals.  On my first trip, the fact that everyone had been through the same sort of thing meant we could all just have a laugh together and be kids without any issues, it was incredible. The Trust has been so important for me since then.  I’ve returned every year and always have an amazing experience. I have grown as a person, I’m happier and more confident, and now I volunteer on the trips. Everyone who has been through treatment for cancer should get the chance to sail with the Trust.”

Emma’s story was first featured in Issue 1 of our Newsletter ‘Inspire’.  She is now studying Forensic Sciences at University, and was a volunteered on three of our trips in 2010.  She said of her summer with the Trust, “It was amazing, full of laughter, and I cant wait to come back and do it all again.”