Rainbows & Pretzels

Rylee is a S14 Para Swimmer, swimming for the Matamata swim club and had been preparing for the Brisbane State Championships travelling with the New Zealand Swimming Age Group team. Rylee holds S14 para records for Swimming and had recently travelled to France to swim as part of the New Zealand Virtus global games team.

3 weeks ago Rylee's life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer called an Osteosarcoma in her proximal humerus. In the 9 weeks since Rylee first felt a niggle in her arm the tumour has taken over her shoulder and upper arm.

Rylee was born with a rare genetic condition called Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Rylee currently has lesions on her Brain, Heart, Kidneys and Skin. She requires ongoing medical treatment and screening to ensure that none of these growths are impeding her daily function, health and wellbeing. Swimming has become the one thing where she feels she is on a level playing field.

Rylee now faces a nine month battle to save her life and her arm from the aggressive tumour.

Her mother and father, Paul and Amanda are based out of Ronald McDonald while testing and treatment begins to shrink the tumour so they can then try and save her arm.

Those that know Rylee, know she is the most tenacious and resilient young woman they have met. Help support Rylee in fighting the next battle she faces and get her back to the pool where she hopes to represent New Zealand at the 2028 Olympics.