Be the reason more young people thrive after cancer has knocked them off course

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a charity that inspires 8-24 year-olds to believe in a brighter future beyond cancer © Martin Allen Photography

Dame Ellen MacArthur's cancer charity is looking to give more young people the chance to believe in a brighter future after the trauma of cancer next summer as it launches its annual Christmas campaign.

This year, no fewer than 651 young people from across the UK experienced the life-changing magic of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. In 2026, it is vital every young person looking for somewhere to turn can join a trip and begin to rebuild their lives after the devastation of cancer treatment.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes 8-24 year-olds on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.

A hand-drawn design by Dame Ellen features on the charity's Christmas cards, which supporters can buy online to ensure new beginnings for hundreds more young people next summer. Also available is an exclusive t-shirt featuring the Istiorachis macarthurae, the dinosaur which made national headlines after being named after the history-making sailor earlier this year.

Other ways to make your difference this Christmas include getting your hands on quality second-hand sailing gear from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust's eBay store, gifts and goodies - from hoodies to sweatshirts, tees to tote bags, phone cases to aprons - or simply making a donation.

Every day, 12 young people aged 0-24 are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. Whether diagnosed as a child, teenager, or young adult, cancer has a big impact on mental wellbeing beyond treatment. They are often left with fewer friends, struggle with relationships, education suffers, and live with body image issues.

This is why your support matters this festive season. Phoebe Gilbert, 17, was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, a kind of kidney cancer, aged 7 in 2015. She had her right kidney removed and still receives check-ups yearly.

She said: "Even though you've got the all-clear, cancer still affects you. The worry is always in the back of your mind. It impacts my life now more than when I was diagnosed because I can remember all of this, whereas I can't remember the treatment before.

"Most people on an Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust trip won't have someone at home who has experienced the same thing. Without this support, I'd still be navigating life and trying to work out how to accept it. Being able to come together makes you feel so much better, mentally and physically, because you don't feel alone."

Frank Fletcher, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust CEO, added: "It continues to be a tough time for charities. We are in a challenging fundraising environment, and we can only currently support 1 in every 14 young people diagnosed with cancer each year. This Christmas, you can be the reason more young people can face the future and thrive after cancer has knocked them off course."

To make a difference this Christmas, visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/Christmas and follow @emctrust on social media.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a charity that inspires 8-24 year-olds to believe in a brighter future beyond cancer - photo © Martin Allen Photography