Real Stories

Jack’s story

When Jack was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 17, he wasn’t sure if he’d get to play his beloved cricket again. With the help of his physiotherapist, his family and the Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship, Jack is back on the field in 2024.

The last time we heard from Jack, he was heading into his final year of high school and adjusting to his new normal of life after cancer treatment.

The 2023 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship finalist has now started university in Sydney, studying physiotherapy, after gaining university admissions with the help of his high school.

“HSC was a bit different for me. I could go to school when I didn’t feel sick and when I had the chance, but obviously it wasn’t enough to maintain that academic level,” he said.

“School was really good; they did their best and were able to help me receive an HSC and an ATAR…and that has allowed me to enroll in physiotherapy at UNSW.”

Jack’s life revolved around sports, prior to his diagnosis of osteosarcoma. He went from playing sports seven days a week to being in hospital all the time receiving treatment and, post-surgery, starting physical rehabilitation.

It was his own experience of physiotherapy that led to a “passion” for the career.

“I had to go through a lot of physiotherapy and a lot of rehab and it made it more interesting to me.”

“If I can help people with their mobility and their physical health, I can impact their overall health. It’s something I’ve grown a passion for.”

Jack underwent surgery to replace his knee and 16 centimetres of his femur with a metal prosthesis, which took him out of playing sports for a while.

His goal was to get back to playing any kind of sport, which he achieved in early 2024.

“The cricket seasons just ended, but I was fortunate enough to play the last two games.”

“It was a really big achievement, it was a bit emotional, but it was just a really nice moment to have to finish off the season.”

Jack’s cricket club and teammates have supported him through his cancer journey.

“I didn’t really know if I’d be able to play sport again and what my life would look like after treatment. So, just being able to get that opportunity…you realise how far you’ve come.”

Jack used his Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship to fund his way back into cricket, with new cricket gear, including custom-made cricket leg pads to protect his prosthesis. He also has a new coach.

“He’s slowly helping me sort of adapt to a new way of playing, especially with the knee and the limits it’s given me. I definitely have to look at it in a new way and he’s helped me with that.”

Jack’s life is moving forward now. He has a casual job bar attending, his first year of university to complete, his sports career is slowly returning and he’s looking to the future.

Jack is encouraging a new cohort of young people to apply for the 2024 Dare to Dream Scholarship. You can find out more information here.

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