My favourite moment was when we waved. I loved the feeling of flying over the water. I felt free! My illness has made me understand that we must always try to go forward and never stop if there is an obstacle, we must always try to cross it to go further. Cancer treatment can be excruciatingly lonely with long periods of isolation away from friends, family and school. Only after treatment ends can they start rebuilding their life from the devastation of cancer.
Young people build confidence by making friends with others who have had similar experiences β often for the first time β rediscovering independence away from home and learning new skills. Young people feel more positive about getting back into education or employment, reconnecting with their friends and families and reestablishing their place in the world. They discover a future they might never have thought was possible. How to participate?
Every child and young adult living in Switzerland, aged 8 to 21, who has completed their cancer treatment even a long time ago deserves a place on a sailing trip. The next sailing trip will take place on Lake Geneva from 2 to 6 July, from 12 au 16 July and from 17 to 21 July In groups of four, the children spend 5 days and 4 nights on Lake Geneva onboard a sailing boat which is between 8 m and 10 m long.
They experience sailing and taking part in the sailing actions, discovering the beauty of the lake, swimming, playing, cooking, washing up dishes and more. The boats stop in a different port every night allowing children to discover new places around the lake and to share an unforgettable adventure. A pediatric oncologist from the CHUV and a nurse are on stand-by throughout the cruise.
Throughout the trip, children are introduced to the art of sailing while cruising through Lake Geneva. This experience allows them to discover a new world in which they are immediately empowered. Under the guidance of a professional skipper, the children help preparing the boat, putting up and down the sails, steering the boat, recognising the winds, giving advices on directions and many other tasks.
