Sailing in cancer recovery inspires teen's Musto t-shirt design win
by Ashton Howard 31 Oct 2018 10:06 GMT
Final Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Musto T-shirt CAD design © Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
More than 700 young people in recovery from cancer will showcase the artistic talents of a 16-year-old Scottish leukaemia survivor next year after she won a national Musto competition in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. As the competition winner, Iona Sutherland's design will be worn by everyone who goes sailing with the Trust in 2019.
Musto, the leading technical clothing and accessories sailing brand, 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 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. On Sunday 21 October a number of runners from Musto, including Global Brand Director, Keith Taperell, helped raise funds for the Trust by taking part in the 10-mile Great South Run in Southsea.
Keith said: "Musto's enduring relationship with the Trust makes a genuine difference to the young people by providing them and the crew with technical gear that keeps them protected against the elements and allows them to focus on the all-important practice of having fun.
"The relationship between the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Musto continues to go from strength to strength and we are delighted to give Iona's wonderful design the platform it deserves on all of the Trust t-shirts in 2019."
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!"
To find out about the difference the Trust makes to young people like Iona in their recovery from cancer, or to donate now, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org