Aspiring singer Stacey Colebrook hopes to launch her music career and raise awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.By Danielle Galvin
A GIBSON Les Paul electric guitar put a smile on 19-year-old Stacey Colebrook’s dial.
The guitar was the ‘wish’ she was granted by the Casey-Cardinia branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
But the Narre Warren teen is more excited about finishing treatment for leukaemia early next year.
It’s been a long two and a half years for the musically talented youngster, but things are looking up.
“When I was diagnosed in 2009, I went to the Children’s Cancer Centre and met a social worker who spoke to me about Make-A-Wish,” she said.
“She told me they could lighten up your situation.”
Since her diagnosis, the St Francis Xavier College student has been heavily involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The well-spoken, articulate teen said the end to her treatment and battle with leukaemia is well “overdue”.
“My last treatment is on 3 February, that’s nearly two and a half years.”
She’s looking forward to life after cancer and high-school, too.
“I’m a part–time student, I study music, literature and studio arts,” she said.
On Friday 11 November, Stacey played her new guitar and sung at the Nar Nar Goon Hall for a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
More than 150 people came along to the hall and $6700 was raised for the foundation.
“I was a little bit nervous but I love to perform.
“It’s great to give back to the people that have given you so much, it feels like something really special,” she said.
Building a strong group of friends through the foundation has been an important part of Stacey’s journey through cancer.
“I met a lot of people around my age. It’s been really great to establish a network that you can rely on.”
Next on the agenda for Stacey is a music career when school finishes. She said she wants to help raise awareness for the foundation that was her saving grace.
“The Make-A-Wish people are all volunteers and they do a fantastic job.
“They really do helpget through to the person when they are having a hard time,” she said.
