After a gruelling 18 months of cancer treatment, a young cancer survivor from Rusholme in Manchester was thrilled to have a well-earned sailing adventure in July.
Adil Hafezji, 20, was one of 3 teenage and young adult patients from Manchester’s specialist cancer centre, The Christie, to join the sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust takes young people aged 8 to 24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. Through the charity’s sailing and outdoor adventures, young people gain a new sense of purpose and self-worth, rediscover their independence, and feel optimistic about what comes next in life. They realise what they are capable of, stop feeling like ‘the only one’, and their mental wellbeing improves.
For Adil, the trip was an opportunity to reconnect with life, meet others who had faced similar challenges, and rediscover a sense of freedom and confidence.
Setting sail from Largs Marina in Scotland, Adil was one of 5 young people and 3 crew on the boat, and there were 2 other boats. All the young people had been affected by cancer. They spend 3 nights on the water, sailing to Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute and back.
“It was proper sick in the best way. I had a fantastic time,” said Adil. “On the first night, we had time to settle in, meet each other properly and explore the boat. Some of us were a bit nervous, but by the end of the night we were chatting like we'd known each other ages."
Adil took an active role on the boat. "We all had to get involved, hoisting the sails, steering, tying ropes. Some people also cooked in the galley. It was physical, but it felt good to be doing stuff again. It was a hands-on experience, with everyone pitching in and learning from one another.
“On Wednesday, there was even a boat-to-boat water fight, which I really enjoyed. We were armed with these massive water pistols and were chasing each other around with buckets of water, even having friendly fire on our boat. It was one of the best moments of the trip. For a bit, I forgot about everything else. I was just laughing.
"Towards the end of the sailing trip, each boat had to make a cake for a celebration. I'm not much of a baker, but I enjoy writing poetry, so I wrote one about the trip and read it aloud on the last night.
“Being at sea is so chilled. Looking out at the sea gives you a kind of peace. At night, you can hear the water against the hull. It's kind of calming.”
For Adil, the trip was much more than just a holiday. “After treatment, you lose your confidence. This trip really helped with that,” he says. “I wanted to take a step forward after my gruelling cancer treatment and thought it would be a good way to mark my progress and have fun again. It was even a bit spiritual at times."
Adil was just 17 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. For months, he had been experiencing pain in his left pelvic area, which he initially put down to overexertion. He made repeated visits to his GP from October to January, and was advised to rest, take painkillers and try physiotherapy.
Eventually, an X-ray raised concerns, and further scans and a biopsy at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital confirmed the diagnosis in March 2024. "I didn't even know what chemotherapy was back then,” Adil admits. “My first thought was, am I going to die? My parents took it harder than I did. I had to be strong for them.”
Following his diagnosis, Adil was referred to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. He began an intensive course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that would span over seven months. He also needed a nephrostomy, a tube inserted into his kidney, which he carried for over a year to manage complications caused by the tumour.
His chemotherapy began in April 2024, involving a complex mix of drugs administered both at the hospital and via take-home pumps. It left him physically drained and brought with it side effects such as nausea, fatigue, weight loss, and the complete loss of his hair. "That was probably the worst part," he says, recalling his signature curly hair.
Radiotherapy followed later that year and took a different toll. “They blasted everything out of me,” he jokes, describing the effect that the treatment had on his bowels and urinary tract. “As soon as I finished, I just needed to lie down and rest it all off.”
Now, 6 months post-treatment, Adil is rebuilding his strength with the help of physiotherapy. “I used to box a lot, but you can’t without good legs,” he says. “I used to be rapid. I could run fast. I’m trying to get that back.”
An MRI scan in May 2025 showed no signs of regrowth. “They said I’ll be able to run again. Maybe not as fast, but I’ll get there.”
Throughout his treatment, Adil was supported by the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) unit at The Christie and its staff, which he describes as a lifeline. “They’re amazing,” he says. “You’re carrying a lot of baggage, and they take that stress off you.”
From games and quizzes to PlayStation consoles on the ward, Adil says the staff were not only professional but also deeply compassionate. "Even when I didn’t feel like talking, I felt like talking to them.”
Chloe Page, Teenage and Young Adult Youth Support Coordinator at The Christie, said: “Adil has shown incredible resilience throughout his treatment. The sailing trip was a brilliant opportunity for him to connect with others, push his boundaries, and rediscover confidence in a supportive and fun environment. We’re so proud of how far he’s come and it's great that he had such a positive experience on this trip."
A spokesperson for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust added: "Cancer can have a big impact on a young person's mental wellbeing beyond treatment, and what happens afterwards can often be as difficult as treatment itself. This is not understood or talked about much, leading young people to feel like they are the only ones finding life after cancer hard.
“After their treatment, they are often left with fewer friends and struggle with relationships, education and work experience opportunities. They may also develop body image issues. The late effects of being diagnosed young include infertility, extreme fatigue, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, and hearing or vision loss."
Looking ahead
Now back home, Adil, 20, reflects on how much the trip has shifted his mindset. He didn't just sail around Scotland's stunning coastline; he was charting a new course for himself. “It reminded me that I can still do stuff. I might have to go slower than before, but I can do it. I can laugh, meet new people, try something new.”
The experience has even boosted his confidence in planning for the future. He missed the final months of college due to illness but is now considering what he wants to do in the future. “I love writing and love poetry, this trip has given me the confidence and motivation to keep writing, and one day publish when the right opportunity comes along.”
He’s also got the sailing bug. “I’d go back in a heartbeat,” he says. “Maybe next time I’ll even steer the boat the whole way. And if I ever buy my own boat, I might try to beat Ellen MacArthur's record," he adds with a grin.