Tweed teen daring to dream

A TWEED teenager has been named a finalist in the national 2025 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.

Diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 14, beach-loving cheerleader Ella, now 15, endured six months of intense treatment and is now preparing for the ongoing challenge of returning to school.

Ella plans to use the Dare to Dream Scholarship to join the ‘Day in the Life’ healthcare immersion program, which is her first step toward giving other kids the same support she received.

Inspired by one of her nurses, she now dreams of becoming a paediatric oncology nurse and said she would encourage others to apply for the scholarship.

“It’s a really good opportunity to be able to make your dreams happen,” she said.

“Just keep going, there’s light at the end of the tunnel and it’s just turbulence that you’re going through.”

More than 20,000 young Australians live with cancer’s long-term impacts and research has revealed that 80 per cent of childhood cancer survivors experience lasting physical, psychological or social challenges.

Now in its 12th year, the scholarship finalists receive $3,000 to assist with returning to education, and the national winner receives an additional $2,000 to further their dreams.

Redkite CEO Monique Keighery said the scholarship recognised resilience and ambition, and provided the support and encouragement needed to pursue goals and look to the future with confidence.

“The end of cancer treatment doesn’t mean the end of its impact. Many young cancer patients and survivors continue to face significant and lasting challenges as they rebuild their lives,” Keighery said.

“The inspiring young applicants have all demonstrated incredible resilience in the most traumatic of circumstances.

“It is a privilege and a delight to be able to support them and follow them on their journey.”

For information, visit redkite.org.au/service/redkite-dare-to-dream