Katrina's Story

So how did it all begin?

When Katrina was only 11 years old, her hands began to shake uncontrollably. It was so bad, she became very scared. Her parents took her to the hospital where the doctors did some tests …and discovered the worst possible news. She had a life-threatening brain tumour. Suddenly she felt all alone – on another planet.

Perhaps you already know that having cancer is like a different world of tests, treatments and terror. But, sadly, the troubles don’t end once you’ve got the all clear.

CLIC Sargent now provides an additional 16 youth specialists across the UK to help young people like Katrina. We now have 40 in total, which reflects our commitment to improve the lives of young people with cancer, who are on treatment and who have finished treatment. We can only continue to provide these essential services with the help of our generious supporters.

Help us give young people - like Katrina - their lives back.
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If only her worries ended with cancer

Even though Katrina’s surgery to remove the tumour was a success, Katrina was left with a speech impediment and double vision, and she found it difficult to balance. A few months later when she had to go back to school, Katrina found her new disabilities made her feel different. She’d grown up with her friends, but she no longer looked the same and she was in a wheelchair. She didn’t feel comfortable around them anymore and sometimes she knew they were whispering behind her back.

Life as a survivor

At a time in their lives when fitting in is really important, young people who’ve been through cancer often look different to their school friends. They might lose their hair, or become overweight because of treatment, or like Katrina they may experience other disabilities caused by their cancer. So when they finally get back to school, no one really understands what they been through, their friends have moved on and sometimes children who’ve survived cancer can be terribly bullied. It’s no wonder they feel so scared and alone.

So how can you help?

With your support, Youth Development Workers can help a survivor who is struggling to cope on their own. THey can listen to their worries, and support them as they get back to school or look for work. It’s also their job to arrange activities where young people who’ve had cancer can make new friends and regain confidence after months in hospital. We are relying on our generous supporters, to help us continue funding these important youth services. A gift could help a CLIC Sargent Youth Development Worker to visit young people like Katrina and help them deal with the problems they face.

Over the last ten years, Katrina has needed CLIC Sargent to help her cope with difficulties, such as feeling so dreadfully isolated. Even today, Katrina still relies on CLIC Sargent youth services. It’s thanks to people like you, that Katrina no longer feels desperately lonely. Please can you make a much-needed donation today to help end the loneliness for another young person?

Your support of CLIC Sargent is so important to young people. As Katrina says, “I don’t think I could have got through it without the support I received from CLIC Sargent.”