About us What We Do What We Do Every day in the UK, 38 young people are diagnosed with cancer. At Trekstock, our vision is to ensure that every young adult in their 20s or 30s living with cancer and its after-effects gets the tailored support they're looking for. We’re an award-winning charity, and the only one in the UK to provide wellbeing support services for those in their 20s or 30s diagnosed with, living with and surviving any type of cancer. From exercise to friendships, sex to nutrition - we're here for it all – with a comprehensive collection of events, specialist programmes, resources and an online forum, designed specifically for our community to meet their needs, whatever stage they are at in living with cancer. Getting diagnosed with cancer is like becoming part of a club you never wanted to join - but know we’re here to help you figure it out. Community is at the heart of what we do. If you’ve felt isolated in the wake of your cancer diagnosis, our community will help you feel connected. "Trekstock has connected me with other young adults with cancer and it is incredible to have a support network of people who ‘get it’." Kirsty, 31, lymphoma. WHO DO WE HELP? Anyone diagnosed with cancer in their 20s or 30s Anyone in their 20s or 30s who is living with the effects of cancer and its treatments Childhood survivors of cancer living with late effects in their 20s and 30s Anyone in their 20s or 30s being treated for MDS, Aplastic Anaemia, Low-Grade glioma, Borderline ovarian cancer or Basal Cell Carcinoma, thrombocythaemia Anyone with benign brain tumours “Cancer took away everything, Trekstock gave a bit of me back.” Lucy, Chronic Myeloid leukaemia THE NEED The stats show that a rising number of people are receiving cancer diagnoses in their 20s or 30s (approximately 14,600 per year). However Teenage and Young Adult services finish at 25 and mainstream cancer services primarily cater for much older people which leaves our young people the youngest on a ward by decades and entering a system not designed for them. And then there's life after treatment. UK cancer services prioritise treatment and survival, so dealing with the immediate aftermath and late effects of treatment is not included in the health support on offer and is hardly on the NHS radar. And yet our community tell us that post treatment is harder than the treatment itself. Without the support that reflects their unique needs, young people feel isolated and unsupported - so this is where Trekstock comes in to fill the gap. At Trekstock, we change lives by empowering those in their 20s or 30s to live their best life with and beyond cancer. We help them to be: CONNECTED - providing a safe environment and peer support to address isolation, online and at in-person events. ACTIVE – equipping them to improve their physical and mental wellbeing by getting & staying active through a range of specialist programmes designed and run by qualified experts. EMPOWERED – tackling tricky questions and topics that matter, by getting experts and peers to share relevant and accurate information at real-world events, in our online forum and in digital resources. READ OUR IMPACT REPORT “The beauty of Trekstock is it isn’t one size fits all, there are so many different areas of support they offer and you are able to take whichever parts you need to help you feel whole again. I am honoured to be a part of raising awareness to help others feel whole again." Georgie, 27, Stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma OUR COMMUNITY Our programmes are designed in collaboration with the young adults we support. Every year, we conduct an impact survey and ask our Ambassadors to share their thoughts and ideas. Their top four support needs are: Psychological support (67%) Physical activity (64%) Nutrition and diet (50%) Work and careers (43%) We work to improve physical and emotional well-being, quality of life and provide the tools to help our young adults get moving again both through and beyond treatment. Our Young Adult Ambassadors help Trekstock support minoritised and / or marginalised people from LGBTQI+ and global majority communities, and also help us raise awareness of late effects, male and secondary cancers, that are less well known and little discussed. MEET OUR COMMUNITY Manage Cookie Preferences