Sailing helps cancer survivor 'out of negative zone'

Jitesh Koli set sail with a charity, set up by record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur

A cancer survivor has said a charity sailing experience took him "out of a negative zone" after spending almost one year in hospital "all alone".

Jitesh Koli, from Leicester, underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in March 2023 - a rare type of bone cancer, which resulted in his left knee being removed and replaced.

The 22-year-old said months of "intense" treatment and recovering from surgery with his family and friends unable to visit him in hospital affected his mental wellbeing.

However, Mr Koli was given an opportunity to sail with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which he said gave him a positive outlook on life.

The 22-year-old is now in remission after treatment at Leicester Royal Infirmary

Mr Koli, who spent five days of the week at Leicester Royal Infirmary during treatment, said: "I used to feel alone because I spent one year in the hospital all alone.

"I never had friends over to visit me in the hospital, or I never had family visit.

"I felt isolated from the real world and had negative thoughts."

The third-year student, who is studying aeronautical engineering at De Montfort University, was later told the cancer had spread.

His knee was removed and replaced with a metal implant, and he was fitted with an internal prosthetic leg in August.

"I had to learn to walk again," he said. "It was extremely painful, and I was shattered physically and emotionally from the chemo.

"It was very challenging to survive."

Mr Koli was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which resulted in his left knee being replaced with a metal implant

After leaving hospital in February, Mr Koli was offered support from the national charity, which was set up in 2003 by record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, who grew up in Whatstandwell, in land-locked Derbyshire.

The trust aims to support young people aged eight to 24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer by introducing them to sailing.

Mr Koli, who set sail from the Isle of Wight for four days in July, said the experience allowed him to meet new people who had similar experiences.

He said he "did not feel alone" after speaking to a woman, who had "completely lost a leg".

"She said, 'we are twins'. I felt really good about that because we relate so much that she used the word 'twin' as a metaphor because we have the same cancer," he said.

"Using the word twin is really personal. That brightened me up."

Mr Koli said the trip "took me out of the negative zone where I was".

"It set me free and gave me hope that life is not over," he said.

"I used to be shy around people, but I made new friends and it boosted my confidence."

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust aims to support young people to rebuild their confidence after cancer by introducing them to sailing

Dame Ellen, the charity's founding patron, said: "We see it time and time again. Young people arrive anxious and isolated.

"Sailing is just the vehicle. On the boat, some magic happens. It's not really the sailing or the water, but the environment being on a boat creates.

"We find a huge transformation in many young people the first time they sail with the trust. They leave feeling part of something, accepted, independent, and optimistic.

"This summer, we will welcome hundreds of young people from right across the UK who need post-treatment support."

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