Christine's story

Christine Ciaglia was just one when she was diagnosed with cancer. Years of treatment and hardship followed with Christine yearning to follow her goal of becoming a professional dancer. However, the effects of Christine’s treatment changed her life forever. 

In crippling pain from cancer on her spine, Christine went through chemotherapy and underwent intensive surgery. She was required to wear a back brace for over a year and was practically immobile during this time.

Now 21, Christine is still feeling the impact of her cancer and continues to suffer extreme back pain. However, she is determined to achieve success, being awarded the Redkite National Dare to Dream Scholarship Award.

Christine is now pursuing a career in graphic design, successfully completing a design course and starting a university degree in November. Christine will use her $5000 scholarship funds to support her studies.

“Being selected as the National winner of the Redkite Scholarship has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and has also taken me a step forward to reaching my dreams,” says Christine.

“Words cannot explain how much it means to be given such a wonderful opportunity at this stage of my life.”

While she will never be able to dance again, Christine remains positive and is determined to achieve great things in life. Christine’s long term goal is to run her own graphic design business.

Launched in 2001, Redkite’s Scholarship Program assists 16-21 year-olds who have had cancer at some point in their life to pursue their potential in an area of special interest such as music, academic study, drama and sport.

Tim Rogers, Redkite’s General Manager of National Services, said: “Young people who have faced cancer often discover great strengths and goals - and a passion to pursue them.

“The Redkite Scholarship Program can assist them financially, enabling them to buy a laptop to keep them up to date with tutorials or to cover enrolment fees, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills and pursue their dreams.”

Redkite awarded 29 scholarships this year. In addition to the National Award, there were five State and Regional $2000 Awards, 11 High Commendation $1000 Awards and 12 Encouragement $500 Awards. The 2009 Redkite Scholarship Program was made possible by the generous support of Merrill Lynch.