Sailing Trips

Sailing towards freedom from cancer....

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Sail 4 Cancer believes that sailing can help people living with cancer in a multitude of ways not only for patients, but for ALL those affected.

Whilst everyone appreciates that research is absolutely vital in the battle against cancer, something extra-special to look forward to has an immediate benefit for those already living with cancer. Then spending time with friends and family, away from hospital and medical appointments, rebuilding confidence and strengthening relationships is priceless during such difficult times.

	“I have just got off the phone after booking our holiday!!! I am VERY excited. I am certain that the adrenaline rush from today alone will have improved my blood counts!” – Tracy

Helping children cope
For a child, having a family member diagnosed with cancer is understandably traumatic. Whether it's a parent or a sibling, the child believes they are going to die. Families who have been on our holidays and sailing days, spending time together doing something far removed from hospital visits and illness, find their children reassured that life really is carrying on.

Young Carers
Older children can end up taking on some of the responsibilities of caring for a sick parent. For one fifteen year old girl to take her mum out sailing in the sun, instead of nursing her, was a truly special moment.

“As the eldest child she has really been through the mill with my illness, so it was great having her able to do something pleasurable for me. It's one of the hours of my life that I will always treasure.” Tracy

Help for teenagers living with cancer
When you have cancer as a teenager, many of your friends don't know how to deal with it and tend to back off at a time when you need them most. For the teenagers who spent a weekend aboard the Helen Mary it was great to make new friends who knew what they'd been through. Learning something new together gave them a different focus. They were no longer “the kid with cancer” but part of a close knit team, having fun and excitement.

	"Its reassuring to know that you are not the only person to have gone through something like that – and here we are getting through it together with our friends" - Jonny 19

Time to be together
Having a sick child means that everything revolves around the child's health and the endless hospital appointments. To have a “normal” family day out or holiday is a welcome break for everyone, including parents and siblings, but would not always be practical or possible without the help from Sail 4 Cancer.

“These days out for all the family to enjoy mean so much to us as we have to spend so much time apart, it helps siblings as much as the cancer sufferer themselves.” Nick

Confidence to rebuild
One of the many side effects of this cruel disease is a total loss of confidence. Many patients amaze themselves as they try - and succeed - at watersports they never thought they would manage. The new-found confidence this gives them spills over into other aspects of their lives and helps in the rebuilding process.

	“I felt my body had let me down in a big way and lost a lot of confidence. The holiday has really boosted my confidence, for a week I swam and did things I never ever thought I would do and I did not think about cancer for more than a fleeting moment the whole week.” Liz

Strength to carry on
It is not only the patient who struggles with cancer. Watching a loved one undergo aggressive treatments with distressing side-effects, whilst trying to remain strong and positive for family and friends is physically and emotionally exhausting. Sail 4 Cancer offers a respite for all those affected by the disease.

“I want to thank you all in helping Laura and myself have such a wonderful experience with the London Sailing Project. I have watched Laura's progress through her illness to full recovery. I find it difficult to put in writing my feelings. However I now see her laugh again. Last weekend she laughed and the sailing will help her rebuild her life.” - Pippa 15

Priceless
Memories are unbelievably precious when they are all you have left. The brothers of one girl, who joined Sail 4 Cancer for a family sailing day, took up sailing as a new hobby. Their sister had enjoyed the experience so much, and they felt this was somehow a comforting link with their sadly missed sister.

For further information:

Email: click here
Web: www.sail4cancer.org
Tel: +44 (0)845 408 1849