We probably don’t need to tell you that today, 4th February, is World Cancer Day. When you’re diagnosed with cancer, you suddenly become all too aware of the awareness days. Let’s face it, if you’re on social media, they’re often hard to avoid. And the truth is, if you’ve had cancer, we know that it can feel like every day is world cancer day.  

The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day is #CloseTheCareGap. At Trekstock, that’s something we try to do for every person who is diagnosed with cancer in their 20s or 30s, or who is living with the impact of being diagnosed in childhood.  

But what does it really mean? For us, it’s about making sure that YOU get whatever support you need after your cancer diagnosis – whatever that looks like for you. We asked some of our community how Trekstock has helped #CloseTheCareGap and what World Cancer Day means to them.

TOBY

"Not long after my diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma, I stumbled upon a website selling band t-shirts and bought myself a Bastille tee. I realised that the t-shirt I’d just bought was raising money for people who had been diagnosed with cancer in their 20s or 30s and I remember thinking ‘hey, I’m a person who has been diagnosed with cancer in their 20s or 30s!’ I investigated a bit more and discovered that the charity behind Merch for Good was Trekstock and discovered a whole load of support that I hadn’t had before. Trekstock was helping people like me exercise safely, they were talking about things people weren’t talking about on hospital wards where I was the youngest person by miles and they were bringing together a community of people who were in the same situation. They changed the game for me.

---

CAROLINA

“World Cancer Day for me is all about awareness and support and Trekstock’s #closethecaregap theme represents their willingness to continue their efforts to raise awareness and support for young adults, like me, not to feel alone and isolated during and after treatment. Particularly for me, Trekstock helped me massively to improve my mental health post treatment, as with their events and support I was finally able to meet other young adults with Cancer with whom I could relate and talk freely about my Cancer experience and feel less isolated and alone.” 

---

SEAN

"I was born in a country with good healthcare which is free at the point of use. Where I had less support was in finding people that I could speak to about my diagnosis and the hardships that followed. Through Trekstock I have met many great people; not just those that work for the charity but like-minded people who I could relate to and felt comfortable with immediately. Trekstock supports people to ask difficult questions and discuss tough topics, some of which - like infertility - I didn't even consider before becoming involved with Trekstock. I'm really appreciative for everything Trekstock has done for me and others and will continue to support the charity long after I can be considered a young adult!" 

We are #ClosingTheCareGap by giving you the things you need to make you feel like a human, not just a cancer patient:

• Providing access to our unique community of others diagnosed with cancer in their 20s or 30s 

• Running free events on the topics that matter to you like menopause, sex, friendship, mental health, work and more 

• Sharing our expert-led booklet on nutrition and cancer to answer all the questions floating round on what you should eat during treatment and beyond 

• Giving access to our RENEW exercise programme with specialist instructors 

• Running weekly Pilates classes 

• Offering our video yoga series. Yoga with Adrienne eat your heart out 

• Through our regular meet-ups online and IRL with people local to you - and the chance to create new groups if they don't already exist 

• By offering you the chance to help us shape our programmes so we can support you in the ways you need