Press release posted 18 August 2025
When Mercy Osarekhoe, a university student living in Manchester, noticed a lump on her neck in 2024, she never imagined it would lead to a life-changing diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma just weeks after her birthday.
Now recovering from cancer, following treatment at Manchester’s specialist cancer centre, The Christie, Mercy, age 20, recently enjoyed a sailing trip in Scotland with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
For Mercy, who moved from Madrid to Manchester to study accounting and finance at Manchester Metropolitan University, it was an opportunity to connect with others who have faced a similar experience with cancer.
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.
Setting sail from Largs Marina in Scotland, Mercy 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.
For Mercy, it was her first time on a boat. “I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said. “But it was such a positive experience. I learned how to sail, met some amazing people, and felt like I could just be myself again, without everything being about illness or treatment.”
"I was nervous beforehand – I'm not a confident swimmer and I was scared about being at sea," she said. "But I'm delighted I did it. It gave me a sense of achievement and made me feel more confident again.”
Activities on board included sailing tasks, shared meals, games, laughter, and jokes. Mercy also caught up with some reading.
“The sailing trip offered something I hadn’t realised I needed, a space to feel normal again. It was refreshing to be around people my age who'd been through something similar. We didn't need to explain ourselves; everyone just got it.”
Mercy was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in November 2024, just weeks after her birthday. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a crucial component of the immune system. It typically affects teenagers and young adults. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis is generally favourable, and many people make a full recovery.
When Mercy noticed a lump on her neck, it prompted her to visit her GP. After a series of tests, the diagnosis came as a devastating shock. “I didn’t expect it at all. There’s no history of cancer in my family,” she said. “It felt very surreal, just bad luck, I guess. I was just starting my university course.”
Mercy began chemotherapy at The Christie shortly before Christmas 2024, followed by a course of radiotherapy in spring 2025. She chose to have her treatment at The Christie to avoid switching hospitals between stages - a decision she says made the overwhelming process a bit more manageable.
“The treatment was tough,” she admits. “But it’s just what you have to do to get well again.”
Throughout her treatment, Mercy was supported by specialist staff from the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at The Christie. “Chris, one of the specialist nurses, was amazing,” she said. “He always took time to explain things and answered my questions, even when I was at home and feeling unsure about things.”
Because her family live in Spain, Mercy was grateful that her mum was able to fly over for each round of chemotherapy.
“My mum flew over for each round of chemo,” Mercy said. “Having somewhere for her to stay near the hospital made a big difference. It meant she could be with me when I needed her most. We are really grateful.”
Mercy’s treatment concluded in late spring 2025. She is now awaiting follow-up scans to confirm that the cancer is gone. Physically, she says her energy levels have mostly returned to normal. “I still feel a bit tired sometimes, but not like before,” she said. “I think I’ll always have the anxiety that it could come back, but I’m learning to live with it and get on with life.”
Despite undergoing intensive treatment, Mercy has continued with her university studies. She had to defer some modules and missed lectures when she was unwell due to the chemotherapy, but completed coursework when she felt well enough. She is currently preparing for exams over the summer while working part-time.
Chloe Page, Youth Support Coordinator at The Christie, said: “Young people going through cancer treatment can experience significant disruption to their education and personal development. Trips like those run by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust offer a much-needed break and a way to regain confidence. Mercy embraced the experience and made the most of it, which is wonderful to see.”
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."
For Mercy, the sailing trip marked more than just time away from home. "I think cancer makes you appreciate everything more. Just the fact that I could go on the trip felt like something to be thankful for. I wouldn’t have said yes to something like that before my diagnosis. But now, I want to make the most of the chances I get.”
Mercy is also happy to encourage other young people with cancer to go on the sailing trip. “It might feel scary to go somewhere new with people you don’t know, but everyone’s in the same boat, literally. You make friends quickly. I’m really grateful I got the chance to go,” she declares.