K’day 2026: Priya on perspective, funding research and beating the odds
2026-01-27
While childhood cancer survival rates sit at 87%, Priya Ramswarup never heard that number when she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma.
Instead, she was given a 25% chance of survival.
At just age 6, Priya was diagnosed with the rare soft tissue cancer after a lump appeared on her right hand. She was whisked away to Sydney shortly afterwards.
54 straight weeks of chemotherapy. 30 rounds of radiation. Six surgical procedures. All before the third grade.
"I’d heard the word cancer thrown around a bit, but I certainly didn't know what that meant,” Priya recalls, now aged 17.
“I was told something was wrong, but it wasn’t a cold that was going to go away in a fortnight. My parents told me just enough information so I wasn’t worrying too much.
“When I did find out it was a one in four chance of survival, I was scared, but you have to set it aside. Statistics aren’t helpful in those moments. You need to push through and tell yourself that you’re going to be the anomaly.”
After 54 weeks, Priya became the anomaly and returned home. Monthly trips to Sydney for checkups followed, but eventually, she was told that she was cancer free. She finally had time to reflect on what she had endured.
"I still try to come to terms with what I went through,” she says.
“I remember when mum and I were told (that I was cancer free), we were expecting this influx of emotion, but instead we just sat there quietly,” she says.
“It was a lot to digest, and we were trying to wrap our heads around the idea that we didn’t have to keep coming back.”
It’s given Priya a different perspective on life.
"I’m actually grateful for the experience itself and the perspective it gave me from a young age.
It definitely gave me a deeper appreciation of life. If I hear my favourite song in a coffee shop, or sometimes I’ll wake up and my dog will come running to me, it makes me so happy.”
“There was a time when the best part of my day was getting out of bed because I was so exhausted. Appreciating the little things helped me get through it.”
Ahead of her final year at school, Priya was voted school captain by her peers. Those leadership skills are on display when she talks about finding more effective, less harmful treatments for kids with cancer, to ensure no child endures what she has.
“When I see a little kid who’s going through treatment, I picture myself and I think of everything I went through. It hurts even more, especially when you can see that they’re just so sick. It’s really upsetting.
“It really hammers home the fact that we need more funding for research.”
Ahead of K’day 2026, Priya believes donating to The Kids' Cancer Project is one of the most powerful ways people can make a difference, because cancer touches almost everyone, and research saves lives.
“While there’s lot of worthwhile causes, childhood cancer is one that touches so many people.
"It needs recognition. Research into childhood cancer is ultimately what will make a difference for kids like me.”
Priya regards herself as lucky. The Kids’ Cancer Project wants to remove luck from the equation by funding childhood cancer research programs that will ensure there's a 100% chance of survival and no long-term effects.
K’day is the day to make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. On 15 February, every tax-deductible donation will be worth double, bringing us closer to our mission.
To donate, hit the button below.