ELLIOTT Prasad is one of eight young Australians to be awarded a Dare to Dream Scholarship. The West Pennant Hills teenager will be able to achieve his goals of studying a Bachelor of Commerce and working in business, thanks to Redkite, a national children’s cancer support charity, and Coles.
Established in 2013, The Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship was started to inspire young people whose physical or mental health has been affected by cancer.
During the last eight years, Redkite and Coles have awarded more than $650,000 in Dare to Dream Scholarships to support young Australians whose aspirations and goals have been impacted by their cancer diagnosis. The scholarship helps young people build their future and can be put towards education or life goals.
Diagnosed when he was 16, Elliott missed almost 18 months of school after his diagnosis. But it was his drive to succeed and gain a place at university that kept him going.
After undergoing 28 rounds of chemotherapy, five surgeries and multiple infections, Elliott was at an all-time low.
“Many of my surgeries resulted in me being bed-bound for months at a time and it was lonely,” he said. “I have not let this physical burden stop me, however. I have tried to be diligent with my studies and make up for all the months off school. This degree means more than the world to me as I know that once I graduate, the worst part of my life is officially over, and I can move on with the bigger parts of my dreams.”
Elliott’s mum Tania said the Dare to Dream Scholarship will allow her son to study his chosen course at Macquarie University and go on to work in business.
“If you ask anyone what they think of Elliott, I suspect they’d say determined, compassionate and a leader. He is now focused on gaining ground on all the work he has missed and completing year 12. This scholarship will assist him with tuition fees and assist with the cost of a modified vehicle to accommodate his disability,” she said.
Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs Sally Fielke said the Dare to Dream Scholarship program is one of the many ways that Coles and Redkite support children and families affected by childhood cancer.
“Coles is delighted to be able to support young people like Elliott to follow their passions through the Dare to Dream Scholarship program. We hope that together with Redkite, we can help these talented young Australians to look to a future beyond their cancer diagnosis,” she said.
Redkite Chief Executive Officer Monique Keighery thanked the Coles team members and customers for investing in the future and aspirations of these young people.
“The generosity of Coles team members and customers in communities across Australia is what makes Dare to Dream possible. The inspiring young applicants have all demonstrated incredible resilience in the most traumatic of circumstances. It is a privilege and a delight to be able to support them and follow them on their journey.”