Robert Marshall

I am nominating Robert as he is one of the most bravest, most inspiring, kind, loveable and friendly teenagers I have ever known. If you met him you would never know he has had the hardest year of his life. He is 17 years old and in September last year he was diagnosed with Cancer. It all started with sharp pains in his knee and for weeks the doctor told him it was either fluid in the knee or worst case arthritis. Luckily his mother suggested a x-ray and the tumour was found otherwise who knows where he would be now. His journey was hard, taking each day at a time with the support of his family. He went into surgery and did not know if his leg would still be there when he awakened. Fortunately he is now all clear, he should still be on chemo but unfortunately ended up in intensive care as a result of it so can no longer receive it. His father and sister also suffer health problems and the whole experience has been tough for the family. Robert has kept up beat and strong throughout and even though the cancer caused him to lose his dreams of being in the navy, he is determined to make the most of life and give back. He has already arranged to return to school next year to receive the grades he needs to achieve his new goal of being a nurse at the Beatson Cancer Centre. He is also trying to raise more awareness of Cancer to other teenagers by doing presentations of his experience to local schools. He is a credit to my family and we are all so proud of him.