By PETER DOUGLAS
AT THE age of just 18 and on his fourth cycle of chemotherapy during his battle with brain cancer, things quickly spiralled downwards for Belgrave’s Lucas O’Biegly.
After an already tumultuous few months, his immune system was at an all-time low when a flesh-eating bug infected his body.
Things became so bad in June last year that his family was told to expect the worst.
But Lucas showed his fighting spirit and is now not only in remission, but has recently taken another step closer towards his dream of completing a university degree.
More recently, this dream has been given a welcome boost after Lucas successfully secured a 2015 Redkite and Coles Dare to Dream Scholarship.
This is a $2000 scholarship which Lucas says will go towards university fees, textbooks, a laptop and travel expenses for university.
Lucas told the Mail his main goal was to link his love for sports with his writing and become either a sports journalist or to work in the field of sports psychology.
“I always wanted to go on to university, so I’m glad I got the opportunity to do that,” he said.
“I wanted to share this story because many are touched by cancer, I wanted to share a positive story.”
Lucas said he had completed his first block of study at Monash University and things were positive.
“Getting through this has given me a new outlook on life,” he said.
“I’m able to better handle the little struggles of life and look at the bigger picture.
“If I’m able to help people understand that, then that’s great.”
But this outlook hasn’t come easily.
On 2 April last year, Lucas went to the doctor to find out why he was suffering from double vision and was constantly thirsty.
Because his eyesight was perfect, the doctors sent him for an MRI scan.
From there, it was a quick spiral into a major battle.
“Within 20 minutes of discovering I had a tumour, I was told I was going in for a biopsy the next day,” he said.
“The doctors found an extremely rare, but treatable germinoma tumour.
“Doctors had to go to Royal Children’s for extra information, because not a lot was known.”
Lucas was set to have radiotherapy, though doctors ordered six cycles of chemotherapy first, and it was during the fourth cycle that he thought he may not survive.
“Although I nearly didn’t make it through 2014, from struggle comes positivity,” he said.
“For me, this positivity is in the form of getting back into my life and rediscovering my passion for sport, studies and coaching.
“For me, it’s about finding a new perspective in life and fully immersing myself into the areas of psychology, philosophy, journalism and sport.”
This year Redkite and Coles, which fully funds the scholarship program, have granted 38 scholarships to young Australians aged 15 to 24 years old who are living with cancer and its ongoing impact on their lives.
The program encourages teens and young adults to realise their dreams and pursue education, career and life goals that are sidelined when undergoing cancer treatment.
Lucas hoped that through sharing his story, he could offer some hope to those affected by cancer.
While he is still not completely sure which direction he will head in academically, he is immensely enjoying the journey.
