Belief in a brighter future

Young people go on to lead rich lives after being inspired to believe in a brighter future through the Trust. Whether it is a dream career or further education, getting back to what they had planned or a complete surprise, they share what their lives are like now (all information was correct at the time of publishing).

• Arts

  Meet Holly

  My life now: Creative Advertising

  "After treatment finishes, that's it, it is like you are just on the edge of a cliff afterwards. The Trust builds a bridge, so you don't go over the edge." Being outdoors helps fuel Holly's artistic side, which has her on the path towards a career in creative advertising.

  Meet J

  My life now: Games Tester

  J felt betrayed by her body and guilty for surviving. Her first time sailing with the Trust was also her first time meeting others who'd been through what she had. Now she lives a creative life testing games, designing interactive museum exhibits, and performing poetry.

  Meet Ed

  My life now: Actor

  From the loneliness of cancer treatment to star of the stage, Ed's long recovery, filled with ups and downs, has led to touring theatre productions and volunteering on Trust trips. Now he's in charge of the stories he tells.

  Meet Tom

  My life now: Video Production Executive

  The Trust was a chance for Tom to test himself - and his spinal reconstructive surgery. Feeling a part of something again and empathising with the impact of the Trust, he became video production executive for World Sailing which involves telling other people's stories.

  Meet Louise

  My life now: Interior Architecture & Design

  Sailing with the Trust was a reminder of what being independent and capable felt like for Louise. The team building and collaboration on trips was an ideal set-up for a career in designing interior spaces, something which Louise loves working with others on.

  Meet Isla

  My life now: Film & History Student

  Moving away from home to go to university was huge for Isla, and the Trust played a big part in that. From not making eye contact to speaking confidently in seminars, while working towards producing a short documentary too, Isla feels reinvigorated after support from the Trust.

• Education

  Meet Rachel

  My life now: University Research Officer

  Rachel was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2005, then relapsed with chronic lymphoma in 2014. She now helps under-represented students successfully apply for university, and spent six months travelling around South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand - on her own!

  Meet Krissi

  My life now: Democracy & Engagement Manager

  Krissi first sailed with the Trust aged 13 having undergone treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic myeloid leukaemia. Now 24, Krissie is the democracy & engagement manager at Beds SU, the official Students' Union of the University of Bedfordshire.

  Meet Izzy

  My life now: Teaching Assistant

  Whether it's going off to university, assisting in classrooms, or jumping off the Spinnaker Tower to raise money, Izzy found courage to try new things on Trust trips. Now she has her eyes set on a career in teaching while looking after people as a part time carer.

• Government, law & administration

  Meet Becca

  My life now: Human Resources

  Sailing with the Trust was a mixture of feeling free and calm while being taken outside of her comfort zone for Becca. That experience pushed her to take on a CIPD course while working full time to further her development, all the while based in head office for an iconic brand.

  Meet Ebenezer

  My life now: Solicitor Trainee

  Spending time with others who'd been through 'the big C' really aided Ebenezer's recovery. He was motivated to help other people, going on to study law while working at Citizens Advice. From realising he is much more than his illness to working towards social reform, Ebenezer is building his own brighter future.

  Meet Claire

  My life now: Civil Servant

  Life didn't go back to normal like Claire had hoped. What she needed was a reminder of what was still possible in life, which she found with the Trust. Now she works in the Department of Health and Social Care in Westminster, advising ministers on prevention and public health.

• Healthcare

  Meet Callan

  My life now: Occupational Therapist

  Diagnosed with AML in 2015, Callan now works in hospitals as an occupational therapist. He wanted to spend his time with people rather than screens, and says Trust trips helped prepare him and his character for the job, thanks to learning new skills and making positive friendships.

  Meet Chloe

  My life now: Paediatric Nurse

  Chloe's life is fulfilling and full of meaning, but first she had to get out of her comfort zone and do things that scare her again. After sailing with the Trust following an osteosarcoma diagnosis, she became a paediatric nurse - and wrote a book all about her cancer story.

  Meet Abi

  My life now: Specialist Dietician

  Without the people skills Abi learned on her Trust trips, she wouldn't be doing what she does today. As a specialist dietician, she works closely with other healthcare professionals to support those undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer. She's also just learned to snowboard!

  Meet Alex

  My life now: Medical Student

  Alex was 10 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and first came sailing with the Trust at 14. Now 23, Alex is studying to be a doctor at studying at St George’s, University of London. His experience shaped what he wanted to do with his future.

  Meet Hannah

  My life now: Children's Nurse

  Hannah always felt different because of her treatment. Her time with the Trust inspired her to work towards something that made her happy, just like when she's around others who understand what she's been through. That push took her towards a career as a children's nurse.

  Meet Sophie

  My life now: Health Coach & Festival Organiser

  Holistic health therapies helped Sophie through her cancer - that's why she went on to become a health coach. Not only that, she set up Trew Fields, the first cancer awareness festival filled with inspiring talks, workshops, yoga, mediation, cooking demos and loads more.

  Meet Bhav

  My life now: Radiotherapy & Oncology Student

  Bhav never came to terms with his diagnosis or felt like he had the space to talk about it before sailing with the Trust. Now, he’s a volunteer who helps make that space for people who felt just like he did. That’s when he’s not at uni studying to be a therapeutic radiographer looking after patients.

• Sport

  Meet George

  My life now: Competitive Sailor

  Following his diagnoses, George had to adapt his physical lifestyle. He couldn't keep up in sports he used to play, but through a newfound love of sailing, he discovered new ways of staying active and taking back his independence. Now he's an award-winning competitive sailor!

  Meet Emily

  My life now: Competitive Sailor & Physics Student

  Life went on hold for Emily when she was diagnosed with an optic pathway glioma. Sailing with the Trust helped rebuild her confidence and independence as part of a supportive community. Now she’s studying for an MSCI in Physics and sails competitively for GBR, representing the country internationally.

• STEM

  Meet Avalon

  My life now: Solution Advisor

  Avalon's diagnosis caught up with her two years after her treatment. Equipped with newfound self-belief and acceptance, she loves her technical and creative software career, and can't wait to take part in the Largs to Cowes Brighter Futures Cycle Challenge to give back.

  Meet Steph

  My life now: Electrical Engineer

  Sailing qualifications and the courage to go to university - Steph felt able to take the next steps after her treatment for osteosarcoma once she realised she can still achieve whatever she puts her mind to on Trust adventures, with hopes to become a chartered engineer very soon.

  Meet Macy

  My life now: Biomedical Scientist

  Macy saw the difference doing something you love makes when she sailed with the Trust. That's why she's gone on to study biomedical science. Giving back to the knowledge and research that helped her during her own treatment for ALL means she can do what she loves too: helping people.

  Meet Harriet

  My life now: Microbiologist

  Harriet bottled her feelings at first, and didn't cope well mentally when she relapsed a few years later. She felt like herself again after making friends at the Trust who could relate to her ups and downs, and now works to keep water safe and clean in Wales as a microbiologist.

  Meet Raj

  My life now: Applications Engineer

  At 14, Raj was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and first sailed with the Trust the following year. He is now an Applications Engineer, writing electrical/software testing solutions for big manufacturing companies. Raj built his first computer in lockdown!

  Meet Charlotte

  My life now: Cancer Biology Research

  Charlotte had lots of questions about having cancer at a young age. To find the answers - spurred on by the brighter futures of graduate volunteers - she studied Cancer Biology Research at Imperial College London, helping to develop new treatments while looking into why people get cancer.

  Meet James

  My life now: Design Engineer

  After dropping back a year in school, the trips helped James get back on track. With new friends by his side and a drive to succeed, he went on to work in motorsports, including a stint with the Racing Point Formula 1 team, while studying automotive engineering.

  Meet Jack

  My life now: Packaging Analyst

  Jack didn’t think he needed support after his treatment ended, but nights spent talking on trips with the Trust helped him understand what he had been through. He’s inspiring brighter futures at work too, in his role analysing packaging and its environmental impact for a major retailer.