First island representative on teen cancer group

A national cancer charity has selected a representative from the Channel Islands for its youth group for the first time.

Antonia Rubio, 25, will represent the views of young people in the islands as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Advisory Group.

It is made up of 30-35 young people from across the British Isles to help inform the charity on its policy making.

Ms Rubio is a former cancer patient from Jersey and has campaigned to raise awareness about the issues young people face in the island after being diagnosed with the disease.

She said she was "in a lot of shock" when she heard she had been selected and "I wanted to kind of be that voice for the younger generation" in the Channel Islands.

Ms Rubio added: "It's really about finding the resources and information and making sure that it's coming from the UK to the Channel Islands."

She is due to start work with the group in December with the role set to continue for two years.

Ms Rubio was nominated for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards for the work she has already done helping young people with cancer.

Rosie Vare, health information manager at the Teenage Cancer Trust, helps organise the group.

She said the group would "work with the senior leadership team to influence decision making".

Ms Vare added: "It's really great that we've got Antonia on the group as a representative of Jersey and the Channel Islands - to have her perspective on how we can improve our services."

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