12 November 2018

Trust welcomes new CLIC Sargent 'What about me?' report

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has welcomed a new CLIC Sargent report that highlights how many children and young people are missing out on vital support to help them cope with cancer.CLIC Sargent What About Me report front coverThe 'What about me?' report shines a light on the challenge of reaching young people and calls on healthcare professionals and cancer charities to help get specialist care and support to everyone diagnosed with cancer under 25.

For every young person aged 8-24 the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust currently works with there are nine we don’t. The Trust could work with 2,800 young people in recovery a year, but reaching these young people is an ongoing concern.

Frank Fletcher, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, said: “This is a great, brave and important piece of work CLIC Sargent have published. Reaching young people is a critical issue and a challenge we are also very familiar with.

Frank Fletcher Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust CEO“We know there are young people we are not supporting we could and should be and, as the cancer community, we need to do better to make sure every young person gets the help they need during treatment and in recovery.

“We endorse CLIC Sargent’s recommendation for partner organisations and professionals to work together to further understand young people’s pathways and support needs, to co‑promote services and to create greater awareness.”

According to CLIC Sargent, the impact of cancer on the mental health of young people is stark, with 90% experiencing anxiety and 70% having depression during treatment. They also face financial worries and disruption to work and education.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust supports young people aged 8-24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer. When treatment ends the Trust’s work begins as for many young people just picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible.

IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PERSON WHO WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY CLIC SARGENT THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

You are invited to complete Reaching All Children & Young People With Cancer Who Need Us survey to tell them your experiences.

The 20-question survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, while CLIC would also love young people to share more of their thoughts and ideas through follow-up interviews.

If you can be involved, please share your contact details at the end of the survey. As a thank you for your time CLlC will give each young person interview participant a £20 Amazon voucher.