Aspiring Olympian Kai, 13, from Adelaide, has been named one of the eight finalists for the 2024 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship. 

“I was really surprised and thankful that I have the opportunity to use this money to get myself back out there playing sport. Things that I love and haven’t been able to do since everything happened.” 

The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was established 11 years ago, to inspire young people whose physical or mental health has been affected by cancer, to achieve their goals and ambitions. This scholarship, funded by Coles, helps young people build their future and can be put towards education or life goals. 

Kai was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at 12, after experiencing shortness of breath and sickness after playing in a lacrosse match. 

“Lacrosse is such a brutal sport, so I thought I just got hit. My ribs were really sore and I was struggling to get my breath,” he said.  

Three trips to the doctors didn’t get Kai very far and he was told to take some cold and flu medicine and Panadol.  

After the second week, Kai seemed to be getting better, and he went and stayed with family friends who own a station in outback South Australia. When he got there, he became quite sick again and had fallen off a motorbike, which gave him an enormous bruise across his belly. 

“He came home on Wednesday, and I took him to the doctor on Thursday, and when the doctor said, ‘oh no, his tummy’s fine’, I took him to the hospital on Saturday,” Kai’s mum Tricia said.  

Kai saw doctor after doctor and went through tests for seven hours, before being told he had cancer at 1:30am.  

Kai dealt with many complications once he started treatment for leukaemia, including becoming a Type 2 diabetic as a result of the medication regimen he was on. 

“So, while we were learning about leukaemia and all the chemo, we then had to learn about diabetes on top,” Tricia said.  

“I couldn’t even bear the image of getting a blood test last year. But now it doesn’t faze me at all. I couldn’t even think of having them before, but now I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, cool. I’ll just have to have another one.’ Nothing really brushes me.” 

The effects of all his treatment meant Kai experienced cramps in his hands and legs, and lots of physical pain and immobility. The lengthy hospital stays and not being able to play his sport and see friends really took a toll on Kai’s mental health. 

“There’s no social aspect of hanging out with friends, making plans. You know if you’re making a plan, you’re kind of setting it up to be failed.” 

Having played lacrosse since he was seven, Kai’s dream is to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. It will be the second time the sport is played at an Olympics, but the first time Kai will be of age to play.  

“Ever since I picked up that stick, the first night I got it, I slept with my lacrosse stick, and it’s been like my job really, just to keep playing and pushing. I really enjoy it.” 

“I’ll use the money on PT, probably some new gear and training equipment. Getting stronger is probably my main point.” 

“I don’t want to make this the only thing people know about me, I want to show them who I am, and what I can do.”

Kai is still on treatment and goes to school part-time, and is looking ahead to become an electrician, beginning an apprenticeship in a couple of years’ time.  

After gaining and completing an electrical apprenticeship, he would like to then work in the mines. 

Since 2013, Redkite and Coles have awarded 500 Dare to Dream Scholarships worth over $800,500 to support young Australians whose aspirations and goals have been impacted by their cancer diagnosis.