Sammy Colakidis is a ball of fun, sass and love. In the face of receiving the heartbreaking diagnosis of incurable cancer, Neuroblastoma, at the age of three, Sammy’s attitude to life is truly inspiring. She would attend her appointments in her ruby red shoes, pretty dresses and headbands, ready to “kick cancer’s butt!”

Now six and a half, Sammy’s mum Kristy says she has shown true strength that a lot of adults don’t show, “She has had kids confront her about her hair. She has had kids ask her why she looks so different and she just answers like a Rockstar. She’ll say, “I don’t care, this is my hair. I’ve got hair, I’m a girl.”

“There is nothing that will stop her. She is determined. She knows she is different but she doesn’t let that stop her. If she sees another kid do something, she knows she can do it too. That’s what excites me about her,” says Kristy.

As previous trips were under tight COVID restrictions, it was so beautiful to watch Sam enjoy herself for a little. She talks about New York a lot, Kristy said.

Sammy is now in her second year of primary school, attending Aintree Primary along with Alexandra. Whilst school has come with its challenges due to treatment damaging her hearing, as a true socialite, Sammy enjoys attending, learning and playing with the other kids. 

Known for her sassy and cheeky personality, always playing pranks at home, Kristy says Sammy has a really nurturing side that has stemmed from the years of care she received herself. Recently Kristy was quite sick and Sammy would put another blanket on top of her with a heat pack. “She learnt from the care we gave her, it was quite beautiful to see.” 

With treatments in the US being complete, the Colakidis family is focusing on living life to the fullest and creating memories. Whilst Sammy and her family have always focused on the positive, being able to move past survival mode and live life more normally has been a welcome step forward for them.

Sammy’s story is part of Humans of Woodlea, an initiative by the fully integrated master planned community as a means of highlighting the unique stories of its residents whilst showing its diversity and spirit.