Cancer survivor raises funds to support other young patients in festive period

A 26-year-old cancer survivor is creating Christmas hampers for the second year in a row to support young patients who are often “forgotten” in the festive period.

All Island Media reporter Antonia Rubio was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 23.

After being cancer-free for nearly two years, she is creating hampers and gifts to help other young islanders going through treatment to “feel good and have fun”.

Six young patients benefitted from the scheme last year, and Antonia is hoping to “reach even more people” this time around.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to make donations of any size, with Antonia explaining that she has realised that “it’s not necessarily about overloading on gifts, but making it about what it means to the recipient”.

To achieve this, she makes each hamper unique – with vouchers, self-care items, and overnight stays just some of the gifts included.

Pictured: Antonia ran the Race for Life this year to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Antonia works to raise awareness about living with cancer, and the ongoing impact it can have on your life – even after becoming cancer-free.

“This time of year can be really difficult for people who are going through an illness,” she explained.

“I know that two years ago, I really struggled over the Christmas period because I had just finished my treatment in the November, and I wasn’t getting my results until January.

“That part of limbo and not really knowing what was going on made it really difficult to relax and enjoy myself.”

Antonia continued: “What should have been a really joyous occasion – which it is for many – was not what my experience was like. So that’s why last year, I made hampers and got such good feedback from people that really needed them at that time.

“I just thought that it’s a sort of responsibility for me now that I’m well, to be able to give back and help people that are going through what I went through.”

The 26-year-old explained that the hampers are aimed at 17 to 25-year-olds, as she believes the age group of cancer patients is often “overlooked”.

“Being in the paediatric ward, to then being in an adult ward when you’re 17 can be really difficult to navigate,” she explained.

“I couldn’t really relate to anyone in the oncology ward. Everyone had a family or had children, whereas I was someone else’s child, I still felt so young.

“I think that age group often gets forgotten about because it’s not the typical age group you would expect to have cancer. Many young people experience all kinds of illnesses and struggles that are often invisible.”

Within days of announcing the initiative, Antonia has already received donations from islanders and local businesses – including Phoenix Construction, which is the main donor for the second year running.