Musto invited every young person who sailed with the Trust this summer to sum up what the charity means to them. Iona’s symbolic sketch of a yacht sailing against the backdrop of a blazing sunset captures how young people can embrace their future and re-engage with life after cancer.
Iona underwent treatment for a rare Acute Undifferentiated Leukaemia at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow in 2014-2015, and first sailed with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in recovery from the charity’s Scottish base in Largs the following summer.
Having returned for a longer cruising trip on the English South Coast this August, the Kinross teen hopes her design will help inspire hundreds of other young people in her situation to feel optimistic about their life after cancer.
Iona Sutherland at the helm during her Trust trip this summer
Iona said: “The trips made me feel like I wasn’t on my own. I don’t think you can understand what it’s like to go through cancer unless you’ve been through it yourself. To be around people who had shared my experiences was really comforting.
“Both the trips I’ve been on were fun. I learnt skills I never thought I would learn, and now feel confident both with sailing and with socialising with new people. I am so delighted to win and can’t believe my design is going to be on the Trust t-shirt! Now I can’t wait to see it in real life.”
When treatment ends, the Trust’s work begins to support young people aged 8-24 in rebuilding their confidence after cancer. For many young people, the end of treatment means leaving the security of their ‘cancer bubble’ and facing the daunting challenge of re-engaging with life.
Through sailing, young people in recovery are empowered – physically, mentally and emotionally – as they make friends with others who have been through the same thing, rediscover their independence and learn new skills. This all rebuilds their confidence to ensure they can positively reimagine their futures.
Musto has partnered with the Trust for its entire 15-year history, having been one of Dame Ellen MacArthur’s key supporters throughout her celebrated sailing career.
Dame Ellen added:
“Iona’s design sums up what the Trust means to me and so many young people in recovery. I would like to send my warmest congratulations to Iona and thanks to Musto. I’m looking forward to wearing the new t-shirt next year!”
