A young cancer survivor from Wiltshire has enjoyed a ‘once in a lifetime' sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust from the Isle of Wight.
From spotting dolphins to taking part in a water fight, Max Harries from Trowbridge described the four-day adventure as ‘unique’ and a ‘once in a lifetime experience’.
Max, 11, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2013 and after months of treatment as a baby, he still feels the impact of hospital appointments and regular blood tests.
In August, he enjoyed a sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which takes young people aged 8 to 24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
Max said: “I was young when I had cancer. I had a tumour and AML.
“When I’m at school, nobody listens. If I try to talk about it, they just ignore me and start talking about their problems and expect me to listen to them, which I do, and I feel really sorry for them.
"But it’s really nice to have people who actually listen to me and care about me.”
Max added: “I’m going to bring home more confidence in myself.
“I’m going to speak up for myself more and tell people about myself more. I’m not going to let them think that just because I’ve had cancer, I’m rubbish.
“Now I’m not afraid of boats. I was really scared, especially because it was so rough, and I got really worried.
"I thought the boat was going to tip over completely, but I learnt that it’s not going to tip over and now I’m a lot less scared of sailing.
“I’m never going to forget this. I’ve really enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people. We’re all in the same boat.”
Dame Ellen MacArthur, the charity’s founder and patron, said: “We see it time and time again. Young people arrive anxious and isolated. But they leave feeling part of something, accepted, independent, and optimistic.
“We are only able to support as many young people as we do thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Because of them, thousands of young lives have been transformed after cancer through life-changing sailing and outdoor activity adventures.
“This summer we will welcome hundreds of young people from right across the UK who need post-treatment support. We will be there for them and they will believe in a brighter future.”
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