'I feel free': Millie's miraculous escape from death to become a champion
The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free".
"To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said.
At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection.
Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised.
Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery.
"Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said.
"It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool."
She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles.
As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle.
"It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said.
"At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life."
Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through".
"After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said.
"These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it.
"I also really value the support I've had from others along the way.
"It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up."
Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths.
She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep".
Her recovery from her injuries continues.
She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment.
NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level".
"Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said.
Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic.
This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024.
NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people".
Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue.
"It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said.
"As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed."
She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her.
"We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said.
Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived".
"A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for."
Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion.
The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free".
"To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said.
At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection.
Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised.
Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery.
"Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said.
"It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool."
She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles.
As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle.
"It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said.
"At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life."
Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through".
"After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said.
"These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it.
"I also really value the support I've had from others along the way.
"It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up."
Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths.
She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep".
Her recovery from her injuries continues.
She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment.
NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level".
"Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said.
Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic.
This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024.
NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people".
Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue.
"It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said.
"As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed."
She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her.
"We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said.
Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived".
"A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for."
Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion.
The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free".
"To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said.
At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection.
Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised.
Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery.
"Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said.
"It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool."
She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles.
As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle.
"It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said.
"At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life."
Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through".
"After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said.
"These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it.
"I also really value the support I've had from others along the way.
"It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up."
Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths.
She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep".
Her recovery from her injuries continues.
She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment.
NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level".
"Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said.
Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic.
This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024.
NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people".
Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue.
"It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said.
"As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed."
She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her.
"We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said.
Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived".
"A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for."
Millie Campbell has overcome an illness that almost took her life to become a swimming champion.
The 14-year-old, of Rankin Park, said the pool was "a place where I can clear my mind and feel free".
"To me, swimming is so much more than just a sport," she said.
At age eight, Millie suffered multiple organ failure from an influenza B infection.
Doctors had to amputate her left foot and ankle, as being on life support for so long meant her peripheral limbs were compromised.
Millie started swimming as part of her rehab and recovery.
"Swimming keeps me fit and active. It's taught me a lot about discipline and commitment," she said.
"It challenges me and helps me grow, both in and out of the pool."
She's won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at national swimming titles.
As part of the Paralympic national futures squad, she has spent time training at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Her main event is the 100-metre freestyle.
"It gives me the chance to be competitive and push myself to improve, which I really enjoy," she said.
"At the same time, being in the water feels like a break from everyday life."
Millie said her determination "comes from everything I've been through".
"After being seriously ill, I had to face some really big challenges," she said.
"These experiences taught me what it really means to keep going. I've learned how strong I can be and that pushing through the hard times is always worth it.
"I also really value the support I've had from others along the way.
"It's reminded me I'm not alone. That makes me even more motivated to keep going and never give up."
Millie attends Lambton High and is doing well in science and maths.
She's shown interest in working in the health profession as an intensive care nurse or an anaesthetist "because they're the nice doctors who put you to sleep".
Her recovery from her injuries continues.
She's been through multiple surgeries on her right foot and will return to Westmead Children's Hospital next month for more treatment.
NSW Health says influenza rates are "at a high level".
"Influenza vaccinations are important at this time," the latest respiratory surveillance report said.
Flu vaccination rates have fallen in Australia among those aged five to 15 since the pandemic.
This rate fell from 27.4 per cent in 2020 to 14.3 per cent in 2024.
NSW Health said last month that Australian studies show "vaccinated people were about 55 per cent less likely to attend general practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people".
Millie's mum Stephanie Campbell encouraged parents to "talk to a health practitioner" about the issue.
"It's difficult. I sympathise with people. There's so much information and misinformation," she said.
"As a parent who has seen how serious the flu can be, we encourage people to be informed."
She is forever grateful to the medical experts who saved her daughter and continue to support her.
"We realise how fortunate we are with the health system we have," she said.
Without John Hunter and Westmead Children's hospitals and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, "Millie would not have survived".
"A family-centred approach in paediatrics that ensures everyone has a voice and feels empowered and supported is something we're very grateful for."
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