17 March 2021
Name: Rachel Blackford
Age: 29
Diagnosis/year: Lymphoma in 2005, then relapsed with chronic lymphoma in 2014
When first sailed with the Trust: 2007
What you do now: My job title is Research and Evaluation Officer at Oxford Brookes University.
Explain what that means?
The university runs events with schools/colleges to help students from under-represented backgrounds go to university, and I lead on the evaluation of these events to find out what works well and what we can improve.
Why did you do want to do this?
I love having the chance to use social research skills to make sure we’re helping people. I absolutely loved my 3 years at university so it's great to help other people get to experience going to university. That’s the biggest thing that motivates me – feeling like the work you’re doing is making a difference to people’s lives. I started off with jobs doing some research/evaluation in a couple of different cancer charities, so this job is just the next step.
What's the coolest thing you've done lately?
In 2019 I took a break between jobs and went traveling for six months on my own. I traveled around South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand and had the most amazing experiences (and took far too many photos!). I still can’t believe I actually did it!
Why did you need the Trust's support in recovery?
The Trust helped massively with my confidence as it helped me practice meeting new people and making friends, which really helped when I went to university after I had missed years of school. I also really loved being able to talk to people at school about my sailing trips – I was not just 'the cancer girl' anymore, instead, I’d done something amazing over the summer that I could talk about. It's like the Trust turns cancer into a positive thing in your life.
What part has the Trust played in you doing what you are now?
The confidence I’ve got from the Trust has helped massively in every part of my life. Volunteering for the Trust helped me realise that what really motivates me is feeling like I’m making a difference, and that’s the biggest thing I look for in any job. And also sailing with the Trust is a great example of teamwork to use in job interviews.
What's your top tip for a young person interested in working in your industry?
If you enjoy it, you will do well! After university, I didn’t really have a clue what I wanted to do, so I just tried a few things and found what I love. So, don’t stress if you don’t know what you want to do in the future, just try some different things and life has a way of working itself out.