Yahoo News Jordan, 24, bounces back from cancer diagnosis bombshell
A young cancer survivor from Stoke-on-Trent says he lost confidence following his devastating diagnosis - but now says: "I can do anything". Jordan Edwards, 24, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a type of bowel cancer, back in 2021.
He now describes himself as "unrecognisable" to the person he was when he had just finished his cancer treatment - and he puts that down to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
After losing confidence, the charity gave him the opportunity to chill out and connect with people. The trust takes young people aged 18-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
READ MORE: Royal Stoke to take 'decisive action' against racism towards staff and patients
READ MORE: Council leader writes to Chancellor as 28,000 OAPs to miss winter fuel allowance
Jordan said: “I had a bowel cancer. It’s a taboo subject to talk about, especially with younger people. I know it shouldn’t be, but I’ve always felt when I come here that I can talk so openly about it.
READ: Mum demands bigger and better council house after left living like this Sammy Burton is 'embarrassed' when friends visit her Meir home
READ: Lifeline for Brighter Futures service users as new 'wellbeing centres' to open Service users have been told that the replacement service will launch next week
"There are a lot of other people who have different cancers that not many young people have. You realise it’s not just you and you’re not on your own. I am so much more content with the experiences that I have had because I know that I’ve got people I can now talk to about anything."
The charity says that once a young person's treatment has finished, they are often left with fewer friends and struggle with relationships, their education suffers, they miss out on work experience, and they develop body image issues. Adjusting to this ‘new normal’ can be extremely difficult, which is why when treatment ends the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s work begins.
Reflecting on the confidence he has gained, Jordan said: "There’s like a magic energy here. When I’ve been in scary situations in this past year, I’ve tried to channel that energy to boost my confidence.
"I can still do a lot of the things that I could do before. I maybe have to adapt it slightly, but that doesn’t mean I have to miss out on things or dwell on being behind my peers. In reality, everyone’s having different experiences and this charity has helped me to realise that I should be more confident.
"I am unrecognisable to the person I was when I had just finished cancer treatment. I feel so much more rounded. I’ve sailed a boat; I can do anything."
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.
"We are only able to support as many young people as we do thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Because of them, thousands of young lives have been transformed after cancer through life-changing sailing and outdoor activity adventures."
Visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @emctrust on social media
