Young Leeds cancer survivor to feature in national BBC Radio 4 appeal for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

The inspiring story of a young cancer survivor from Leeds is set to be shared with the entire country this summer.

Tegan Clarke, 26, will feature in a national BBC Radio 4 Appeal for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, a charity that takes young people aged 8 to 24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to help them rebuild their lives after cancer.

Her story will be narrated by the legendary Dame Ellen MacArthur herself when the broadcast airs later this month.

Tegan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma - a type of blood cancer - in 2018, just as she was starting her university studies in London.

"At first, we all thought it was just ‘freshers’ flu’," Tegan recalled. "I was alone when they told me I had blood cancer. My family came, I got transferred to Leeds, and there was one moment when I got told I could die. From then on, that wasn’t a thought.

“It was positivity across the board. ‘You’re gonna get through this’."

Though she completed her treatment and went on to finish university and land a job, Tegan found herself reflecting on the isolation of her experience.

Realising her everyday peers couldn't fully comprehend what she had been through, she sought out a community of people her own age who could relate.

That search led her to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s sailing adventures in Largs, on the west coast of Scotland.

Finding peace on the water

For Tegan, stepping aboard the boat was a life-changing turning point.

"I got on the boat, and it was a judgment-free zone," Tegan said. "I never thought I’d be around people who had been through what I’ve been through ever again or find people I could relate to, or who could relate to me.

“The sense of community is unparalleled."

Tegan added, "Being out on the water, it’s quiet, calm, but it’s so vibrant at the same time. Just sitting in front of a sunset by yourself for 10 minutes really clears your head. I rediscovered things about myself, like my passion, my drive, and my peace as well."

The charity's sailing trips are designed to help young people regain their independence, build self-worth, and improve their mental wellbeing after the massive disruption of a cancer diagnosis.

The BBC Radio 4 Appeal highlights a different charity each week, offering listeners a chance to donate to vital causes.

Lindsay Nehorai, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s Fundraising Manager, said: "We’re so delighted to be part of the BBC Radio 4 Appeal.

“It’s vital that young people living through and beyond cancer can access the support they need after a life-changing diagnosis."

Listeners can hear Tegan's story on BBC Radio 4 on July 26 at 7.54am and 9.25pm, and again on July 30 at 3.27pm, where details on how to donate will be shared. BBC Radio 4 can be found on 92.5-96.1 MHz and 103.5-104.9 MHz or online at BBC Sounds.