"I’m with people who understand I have had cancer and that I am still healing from that."
Aged 23 when she was diagnosed with a chondrosarcoma in her spine, Katie quickly underwent surgery followed by three months of treatment.
She went on her first trip with the Trust not long after. The following year, she went again.
"To be with a group of people who understand the impact on your life is unbelievable."
After the first trip introduced her to sailing, Katie wanted to get more involved when she returned for a second.
“Coming back allowed me to stretch my legs a bit more, go a bit faster on the boat, sail for longer periods of time. That has been really exciting.”
Supported by her skipper, Katie felt the freedom to do what she wanted to do – the return trip offered her greater independence.
Despite being more physically vulnerable than most people her age, she felt empowered to take control of her time at sea.
"I was with really fun people who were just finishing treatment or getting back on their feet."
The safe environment was a huge part in deciding to return.
“It’s only been just over a year since I finished treatment, so having people who understand I’m not always 100% physically able is really important. And they helped me push myself when I felt able to do that too.”
Whether it was having a lie down or asking for help around the boat, Katie never felt she had to justify herself.
“I’m with people who understand I have had cancer,” she said. “And that I am still healing from that.".
"It’s not having to explain, it’s not having to find the words to say how I feel."
The Trust is a place Katie can return where she can talk openly about cancer.
“I feel like a lot of people my age either just can’t talk about it or get really uptight over it. There are people who cannot cope with the thought at all.”
There is no need to ‘come out’ to anyone that you have had cancer – everyone is in the same boat.
It’s a place where Katie knows everyone will understand.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Trust support, or you want to make a difference to young lives after cancer, here's how you can...
