25/02/2026
At 17, Amy thought she was dealing with a routine health issue, but what followed was anything but routine.
After weeks of tests, appointments, and procedures, Amy was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer, something most commonly seen in adults over 70.
Within a short space of time, Amy was facing multiple surgeries and the possibility that her future might look very different. Few of us can truly imagine what that means for a young person in Year 12, while friends carry on with the normality of teenage life.
Prior to her diagnosis, Amy had joined us at Camp Hero. In a recent chat with us, she shared that during treatment and recovery, she found herself drawing on lessons she'd learnt at camp that she never imagined would become so important.
The ability to sit with discomfort rather than immediately trying to escape it.
The discipline of focusing on what she could control each day.
The mindset of breaking overwhelming situations into small, achievable steps.
And perhaps most importantly, the understanding that resilience does not mean facing challenges alone.
Instead of becoming consumed by uncertainty, Amy concentrated on showing up to appointments, asking questions, adjusting expectations, and protecting her mental wellbeing alongside her physical health.
Her experience is a powerful reminder that prevention and early mental health education are not abstract concepts. They are practical skills that young people carry with them into real life, especially in moments they never see coming.
Read more of Amy’s story here: https://www.zero2hero.com.au/story/amys-story/
