Applications have opened for the ninth annual Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship, supporting teenagers whose lives have been put on hold by cancer.

Samuel Ottery, last year’s recipient of the top scholarship of $5000, is encouraging other teens like him to dream big and apply for the national scholarship.

Diagnosed when he was 15 with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the aspiring doctor finished his Year 12 exams while still on treatment. Despite the hours of missed school, and time with family and friends, he has started his Bachelor of Medical Science at Macquarie University and is one step closer to achieving his dream.

“My cancer experience reinforced my goal to pursue a medical career and the Dare to Dream scholarship has given me a big kickstart. I believe that once you’ve gone through cancer, you can’t have a dream that’s too big or too wild. That’s what this scholarship program is for, to show kids like me their passions are worth chasing.”

Funded with the support of Coles, the scholarships are for teenagers aged 13-18. Up to $5000 can be put towards creative, life or education goals which have been disrupted by their cancer.

Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs Sally Fielke said the Dare to Dream scholarship program was one of the many ways that Coles, together with the leading children’s cancer support charity, are supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer.

“At Coles, we’re extremely proud to have raised more than $46 million for Redkite since 2013 to support children and families affected by cancer. This includes initiatives such as the Dare to Dream scholarships, which have been awarded to close to 350 young people.”

“Through the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream scholarship program, we are delighted to support young people like Samuel to follow their passions. We hope that together with Redkite, we can help many more talented young Australians to look to a future beyond their cancer diagnosis,” she said.

Applications open on 2 May and close on 13 June and are available to teenagers aged 13-18 years from anywhere in Australia. To learn more, or apply for a Dare to Dream Scholarship, visit daretodream.redkite.org.au.