Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie talk to young cancer patients about life in lockdown

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have spoken to young people with cancer over Zoom to highlight the challenges they’ve faced during lockdown.

The two Princesses are honorary patrons of Teenage Cancer Trust, which organised the call, and spoke with six people in the North West of England with different types of cancer.

Those on the call included: Caitlin Wilde, 18, from Droylsden, Callum Marsh, 20, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Darcy Shaw, 21, from Salford, Lakita Neille, 21, from Manchester, Jack Fielding, 25, from Bolton and Kathryn Rodwell, 21, from Mold in North Wales.

The Princesses were also joined by Teenage Cancer Trust youth support co-ordinator Steve Harcourt.

On the call, the cancer patients spoke about the government’s advice on shielding, how various appointments had been delayed, and how it felt when loved ones were unable to visit them in hospital due to the pandemic.

They also spoke about how coronavirus has impacted their mental wellbeing, and how Teenage Cancer Trust is helping them through any challenges.

Marsh, who is currently receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, said that he has had to spend a lot of time alone due to the pandemic.

“I’ve spent times on the ward for over a week and I’ve had to spend much of that on my own, as the staff have to minimise their contact with me to reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus,” he said. “So, you’re left alone with your thoughts, at quite a scary time in your life.”

Shaw, 21, from Salford, was diagnosed with skin cancer in February and told Princess Eugenie how seeing a photograph of her showing her scar from scoliosis surgery on the Royal’s wedding day helped to give her a confidence boost due to the scars she has from chest and neck surgery.

Both Beatrice and Eugenie have been involved with Teenage Cancer Trust their entire lives thanks to their mother, the Duchess of York, who is a long-standing supporter of the charity and opened its first facility for young people with cancer in 1990.

Princess Beatrice commented: “We’ve grown up with Teenage Cancer Trust, we’ve been part of this family our entire lives, and it was so amazing to speak with these young people and some of the incredible team who are supporting them through this crisis.

“They have been through so much already, and as we start to come out of lockdown, many young people will remain in very difficult situations, often separated from friends and family, at home or in hospital.

“We must not forget about them, and charities like Teenage Cancer Trust who are working so hard to help them cope.”

The video call comes after a new study by Macmillan Cancer Support found that half a million people with cancer in the UK are afraid to the leave the house due to the threat of coronavirus.

Research from the charity suggests that 19 per cent of cancer patients in the UK – around 570,000 people – have scarcely left their homes because they are too afraid to do so, while nine per cent – around 270,000 people – have experienced anxiety attacks or even suicidal thoughts because of the virus. Read more here.