Tiffany

My name is Tiffany, I’m from London and am 21.

I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer called a germ cell tumour when I was 17. At the time I was diagnosed I was playing football for Chelsea Academy, I felt like I couldn’t do the sport I thought I would always do, so after treatment I looked for something that I could do. I heard about the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust from my Clic Sargent worker but I had already turned 18 so couldn’t go as the trips were for under 18’s.

Last year in 2010 the Trust did their first 18-25 sailing trip. I was one of the lucky 20 odd to go. I was counting down the days till we left… It finally came and it was the best trip I have every done. When it finished I wished it hadn’t, and couldn’t wait till I went on another one.

This year the Trust did a Competent Crew week, which is just what I wanted to do so when I got asked I was over the moon. Our trip was the 25-30 September 2011. The 25th Sept just so happened to be my 21st birthday, it was a awesome way to spend my birthday week and they sang Happy Birthday and got me two cakes which I was not expecting. We started the trip and sailed to Poole, it took 9 hours, which was amazing as I have always wanted to sail that long and actually get the sails on the yacht up.

I meet lots of new patients and new friends. I also learnt so much more about sailing, which was what I wanted to do. At the end of the trip we all got our RYA Competent Crew qualification. I hope to continue sailing and would love to do the Round the Island race next year.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has helped me with my confidence and it’s helped me to talk about my diagnosis with other patients as well as the Trust team.