Paralympic dream keeps teen swimmer pushing through cancer treatment

Her pilocyctic astrocytoma relapsed at four years old and she completed 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

When she was in Year 7 she relapsed again, followed by a year of treatment.

Just two years ago, she had a brain surgery to remove a cyst.

Victoria is now 16 years old and has relapsed for a sixth time. She is in treatment.

Despite her tumultuous health hurdles, she has found refuge by getting into the pool and dreams of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

During her first brain surgery she had a stroke, leaving the left side of her body partially paralysed.

"I spent a lot of my childhood at physio appointments and that included hydrotherapy, where I got introduced to swimming," the teen from Lake Macquarie, NSW, said.

She fell in love with the water as a place where she wasn't restricted and bound by her health and abilities.

"I didn't have to wear my leg brace. It could just be me in the water and nothing else matters. I also didn't have to hear anyone when I'm underwater," she said.

She persisted with swimming from the age of eight and got into the competitive scene in high school.

"Swimming has helped my body to stay fit which has helped with recovery from surgeries. Without swimming I'd probably be in a wheelchair. It honestly saved my life," she said.

Victoria is now a national athlete with NUSwim based at the University of Newcastle, and is part of the state development squad.

Despite undergoing cancer treatment, she is still in high spirits and training four times a week.

"I also went to the Paralympic trials this year for the 100-metre freestyle, so that's now on my resume," she said.

"It's a huge goal of mine to make the Paralympics team. I'd love to break a world record or do something amazing to show the world that you can persevere through sickness and disability, and the challenges that life gives you."

Her goal of becoming a para-swimmer is on track with her dedication leading her to become a recipient of the Dare to Dream Scholarship, a joint venture between Redkite charity and Coles, providing financial support to young Aussies like Victoria, facing childhood cancer.

"The scholarship will help me reach my goals as swimming is an expensive sport and it will help my family financially. It's also really encouraging to know a foundation as big as Redkite wants to see me succeed. It's very encouraging for me, especially during this relapse time," she said.

Victoria also aspired to go to university and one day do a TED Talk where she can advocate for people living with disabilities and cancer.

She wanted to thanks Redkite and Coles for their generosity and her parents and siblings for always believing in her.