Kyle, a 17-year-old from the Central Coast of NSW, has been named one of the eight finalists for the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship. An aspiring electrician, Kyle is excited to start working in his trade. 

“The Dare to Dream funding would help me to get more tools for being ready for the work environment, like impact drills, screwdrivers, vault testers, all this sort of stuff.” 

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 and 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.  

Shortly before Kyle’s first birthday, he was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. 

“After been sick for a couple of weeks, Kyle was admitted into hospital and after running tests overnight the doctor told us that he had Leukaemia,” his mum Jo recalls.  

Within three months of diagnosis, no treatment options were working, and the only option forward for Kyle was to have a bone marrow transplant. After all three of Kyle’s older siblings were tested, Shaun, who was nine at the time, was a match.  

“I spent the weeks before the transplant having intense chemotherapy and total body irradiation, which completely obliterated all bad and good cells. I was one of the youngest patients that Westmead Children’s Hospital had treated at the time.” 

“Every year, on the day of the transplant, we celebrate hero day. April the 29^th is a special day for Shaun and Kyle. We’ve celebrated that each year,” Jo said. 

Kyle started school the same as all the other kids; a day his family weren’t sure they would see.  

“Going to school felt really welcoming because the kids and teachers knew what I’ve been through over the years. I felt really welcomed and cared for. If I needed any extra help with work or making friends, I received that help and I had [older siblings] Liam and Holly to always go to if I had anything I needed.” 

Having missed numerous days of school to attend appointments or have procedures at the hospital since his bone marrow transplant, Kyle’s inspiring strength helps him move forward to achieve his dreams. After Kyle finishes his HSC, he hopes to obtain an apprenticeship as an electrician. 

“I have had some learning issues caused by the radiation treatment which has meant I sometimes have issues remembering things and have difficulty getting ideas down, which has influenced my grades.” 

Following in his dad and grandfather’s footsteps in electrical work, he is on his way to being a qualified electrician apprentice, having already achieved his certificate two from TAFE. He’s also just completed the HSC trials. 

He’s excited to spend the Scholarship on tools of the trade, to help set him up for success. 

“I’m also saving for a 4 x 4 Ute as this will help me transport all the equipment I need when I start fully working as a ‘tradie’. I will be putting money aside to help me achieve this goal eventually.” 

Kyle’s message to other young people and their families going through childhood cancer is to remember you’re not alone. 

“If another family end up going through the cancer journey or currently going through it, I would tell them that there’s other people going through the same thing as you are, and there’s multiple places where you can just chat, like Redkite, and get insight on how to get through it and all that.” 

“It does get easier as you go on, but it’s still harder than other people’s lives.” 

“We are thankful for Redkite and the opportunities that they obviously give to kids like me, with the opportunities such as the Dare to Dream scholarship.” 

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.