MY FIFTH YEAR
MY CHARITY CHOICES
Who are they?
I have chosen very specific charities to fundraise for in my fifth year. There are many charities out there who do remarkable work in helping cancer patients and I could have included about 10 more.
However, I wanted to really highlight the key charities who got me through my personal experience.
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Teenage Cancer Trust
I was treated at the University College Hospital in London. I was given the option to have treatment locally - and was 99% sure that's what I wanted to do to be close to home - until my doctor urged me to at least see the hospital to make up my mind. After visiting, it became clear why she was so sure I would want to be treated there. Not only is their care and staffing incredible, but they meet the specific needs of young adults too. Whenever I stayed in local hospitals I was surrounded by older people admitted for various reasons and I often felt quite uncomfortable (of no blame to the patients, of course) but at UCLH my ward was entirely made up of 13-21 year olds, all experiencing similar things, having similar thoughts and asking similar questions. I was immediately made comfortable. They also made our stays - which often lasted weeks on end - in hospital as comfortable as possible with craft days, film evenings, physiotherapy sessions and with food we actually liked too. TCT are a brilliant charity who cater for that in-between stage of not-quite-child, not-quite-yet-adult so we aren't left feeling out of place.
http://teenagecancertrust.org
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CLIC Sargent
During my treatment I would often have 'breaks' between chemotherapy but during this time I would fall ill from side effects and a low immune system. Therefore, I would often need to be close to hospital in case I needed attention. CLIC Sargent offered comfortable accommodation to cater for this period, away from the ward but close enough if I ever needed to be seen. This became Mum and I's home from home. The charity also provided me with a social worker who would visit and help with any arrangements. I was set to start university that September so she sorted getting my place deferred, helped with financial admin and was just generally a listening ear. Teenage years are hard to grasp for anyone, so having a cancer diagnosis makes it all that bit harder - CLIC Sargent were there to make it just a little easier to deal with.
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Teens Unite
Teens Unite are a charity like no other. Not only do they support you during treatment, but they don't disappear after either - I am still supported by them today. They understand that patients not only have side effects during but also once they are in remission as well - feeling isolated and struggling to get back to normal life. Teens Unite organise days out, weekends away and trips to help the young adults meet new people and share their stories, to show they're not alone and there is a life outside of hospitals. This became an incredible support system for me when I left hospital and helped me rebuild my ordinary life again.
https://www.teensunitefightingcancer.org
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Little Princess Trust
Losing your hair at any age is a terrible ordeal. When you're younger, it seems like the worst thing about it all. The Little Princess Trust were incredible in helping me find a wig. They made sure to partner me with a salon near home, I could choose whatever style I wanted and it was custom made to suit me and it was entirely free. The process was as sensitive as possible and the people in my local salon knew exactly the right things to say and do. I felt comfortable again to go out in public and face the world, all thanks to the LPT.