A Cardiff child has spoken about her cancer journey - after enjoying a special sailing trip.
Living on a boat and participating in activities with similar children, Eleri Bilbao-Jenkins, 11, described her recent sail adventure from the Isle of Wight as 'amazing'.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at age two, Eleri went through difficult treatment times. She said: "I missed a lot of nursery.
"A nurse would come to my school to prick my finger every week."
She further explained her isolation before the trip, "I’m the only one from my school that had cancer.
"I didn’t know anyone else that had cancer until this trip."
The young girl's adventure was made possible through the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The charity takes young people like Eleri, whose lives have been touched by cancer, on sailing trips.
The organisation's aim is to encourage these children and young adults to believe in a promising future beyond cancer.
Cancer has repercussions on a young person’s mental wellbeing - the aftermath can be as difficult as the treatment itself, if not more.
As struggles with friends, education, body image issues, and work experience arise, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust steps in to guide them in regaining their self-worth, purpose, and optimism for the future.
Eleri added: "I used to be nervous about telling people that I had cancer.
"It’s important to build people’s confidence and make them feel better about what they went through if they were feeling down about it."
Founder and patron of the charity, Dame Ellen MacArthur, 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."
She credited the charity's success to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, as their support has enabled the charity to transform lives through outdoor activities.
"We will be there for them and they will believe in a brighter future," she added.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is extending its support.
Visit the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust website or follow @emctrust on social media for details.
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